Distance Selling Regulations
Distance selling means selling and buying by phone, mail order, via the Internet or digital TV.
Distance selling transactions are generally covered by normal buying and selling legislation, but they are also covered by the Distance Selling Regulations (DSR).
The DSRs implement EU Directive 97/7/EC and, for most goods and services, provide additional rights to consumers buying at a distance.
The protection includes:
- the right to receive clear information about goods and services before deciding to buy
- confirmation of this information in writing
- a cooling off period of seven working days in which the consumer can withdraw from the contract
- protection from credit card fraud
Guide for businesses on Distance Selling Regulations
The Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) issued revised guidance for businesses on the Distance Selling Regulations in September 2006.
A guide for businesses on distance selling (PDF, 127KB)
Other related legislation
E-commerce Regulations put the EC Directive on E-commerce into UK law. Amongst other things the Directive requires Member States to ensure that contracts can be concluded electronically.
The Distance Marketing of Financial Services Directive establishes a set of EU-wide rules on the information that must be supplied to consumers when financial services are sold at a distance. The Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004 which implement the Directive came into force in October 2004. HM Treasury leads on financial services issues in Whitehall.
Provisions of Private International Law (PIL) are also relevant to e-commerce in relation to cross border transactions and disputes. The Ministry of Justice leads on PIL issues in Whitehall.
