Consumer Rights Act (2015)

Understanding the Consumer Rights Act (2015)

  • The Consumer Rights Act (2015) is a vital piece of legislation that protects the interests of UK consumers.
  • It combines and simplifies three key pieces of consumer legislation: the Sale of Goods Act, Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations, and the Supply of Goods and Services Act.
  • The Act came into force on 1st October, 2015, and applies to all purchases made on or after that date.

Rights and Remedies under the Consumer Rights Act (2015)

  • One of the main rules of the Act is that goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If goods fail to meet these criteria, the consumer has a right to a full refund.
  • Consumers have a 30-day time frame (a short-term right to reject) during which they can return faulty goods for a full refund.
  • After this 30-day period, the retailer has one opportunity (known as the right to repair or replace) to repair or replace the faulty goods. If this does not rectify the problem, the consumer has the right to a price reduction or a final right to reject the goods.
  • The Act also applies to digital content, stating it must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If this is not the case, the consumer has the right to a repair or replacement.

Unfair Terms

  • The Consumer Rights Act (2015) also provides protection against unfair terms in a sales contract.
  • Terms are considered ‘unfair’ if they create a significant imbalance in rights and obligations, to the consumer’s detriment.
  • If a term is considered unfair, it is not legally binding on the consumer.

Services

  • When it comes to service provision, the Act states that the services must be performed with reasonable care and skill.
  • If a service is not performed correctly, the provider is required to redo the service or provide a discount.

It is important to always consider the implications of the Consumer Rights Act (2015) when designing and manufacturing products to ensure they meet all necessary standards and avoid potential legal issues.