Posted: Mon, December 1, 2003
 Consumer Law
There are many regulations in the areas of environmental health, trading standards & consumer affairs which impact on small businesses.
Environmental Health
For local information contact your local council.
Trading Standards
Trading Standards Offices are part of your local authority. For local information contact your local council. For general information try the government website Trading Standards Central.
Welsh Consumer Council 
The Welsh Consumer Council is the national consumer body for Wales. It works to represent the interests of domestic buyers and users of goods and services in Wales.
The Consumer Gateway
This site run by the DTI provides online access to web sites containing consumer information & advice from Government departments, consumer organisations & others. Excellent links to
factsheets & help pages on topics such as food safety, travel & shopping on the Internet.
The Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading plays a key role in protecting the economic welfare of consumers, and in enforcing United Kingdom competition policy. The OFT has a wide range of statutory duties and
responsibilities. These pages set out the relevant legislation for businesses. You can also find Online Shopping advice.
Distance Selling Regulations
This is an outline from the DTI. They also produce Information for Businesses and a more detailed Guide for Business which you can download as a PDF file. The DTI has also published information for consumers: Home shopping: your rights as a consumer Finally, you can also read the full text of the regulations from HMSO.
Consumers Association
The Which? website provides consumer advice on legal rights when shopping on-line, and general e-shopping guidance. The Which? Web
Trader Scheme is designed to make sure consumers get a fair deal and to provide them with protection if things go wrong. Details on how to apply.
The Competition Act 1998
In force on 1 March 2000, this Act introduces new rules which prohibit agreements, business practices & conduct that damage competition in the UK.
The Enterprise Bill
Published at the end of March 2002, the main measures of the Bill aim to: - promote strong, fair competition and open, dynamic markets - deliver a better deal for consumers - make the insolvency
regime more supportive of enterprise - remove ministers from competition decisions. You can view:
Enterprise Bill
More information about the Bill at:
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