[Ecommerce] More rights for UK consumers-online or offline. Deadline for consultation May 23

[Manon Ress]

More rights for UK consumers when they buy faulty goods - online or
offline - under new draft regulations which would implement the EU Sale
of Consumer Goods Directive.

The new draft includes:
-During the first six months of ownership, it will be assumed that
faulty goods were sold with the fault unless the retailer can prove
otherwise (reversal of the burden of proof).
-Any guarantees offered by the manufacturer or retailer are legally
binding and must be written in plain language with clear details on how
to make a claim.
-In sales to other EU member states, the seller will be liable for at
least two years for faults present, but not apparent, at the time of
sale. 
-Consumers have the right to have faulty goods repaired or replaced, or
reduced in price (these are used remedies in the UK but they have never
been given status in law.)   
          
May 23, 2002 is the deadline for comments for the Second Consultation on
EC Directive 1999/44/EC on certain aspects of the Sale of consumer Goods
and associated guarantees.
http://www.dti.gov.uk/cacp/ca/consulta.htm#2nd

Manon
PS
The first consultation (Jan. 01) see:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/cacp/ca/consultation/sale_of_goods.htm
includes an interesting discussion of the definition of consumer and
protection against unfair contract

-- 
Manon Anne Ress
Essential Information
www.essential.org
PO Box 19405, Washington, DC 20036
mress@essential.org, voice: 1.202.387.8030, fax: 1.202.234.5176