Office of Fair Trading
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OFT publishes guide to help firms stay within the law
The OFT has published a new quick guide for businesses on how to comply with competition and consumer laws.
The updated, comprehensive guide is aimed particularly at smaller
businesses but is relevant to firms of all sizes. It includes
advice on what constitutes illegal cartel activity, what rules
apply when selling at a distance, and how to ensure contracts are
not unfair. It also highlights recent changes to the law,
including:
* misleading business practices that are now
prohibited under the Consumer Protection Regulations,
* new
rules on advertising to other businesses, where the advert
identifies a competitor or a competitor's product,
*
amendments to the Estate Agents Act, which mean that all agents
who sell properties in the UK are required to join an approved
redress scheme, and
* new licensing requirements for sections
of the credit consumer industry and Consumer Credit
(Advertisement) Regulations.
Ali Nikpay, OFT Senior Director of Policy said:
'There
have been a number of changes to legislation this year that affect
how businesses operate in the UK. An important part of our role is
to provide guidance to help companies self-comply. This new guide
is an excellent tool for anyone dealing with consumers in a
business context.'
Download a copy of 'A quick guide
to competition and consumer protection laws that affect your
business' from http://www.oft.gov.uk/businesses.
Copies are also from the OFT publications line on 0800 389 3158.
PUBLIC enquiries: 0845 7224499
enquiries@oft.gov.uk
OFT
reports and consumer information leaflets are available free
from:
OFT, PO Box 366, Hayes UB3 1XB 0800 389 3158 oft@ecgroup.uk.com