Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 CPRs
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (known as the CPRs) were introduced to control unfair practices used by traders when dealing with consumers and to create criminal offences for traders that breach them.
[edit] History
The CPRs were adopted in May 2008. They replaced most of the regulations included in the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 (TDA). The CPRs were intended to protect consumers by making businesses take responsibility for their unfair trading practices. Under the CPRs, businesses include trades, crafts, professions and the activities of any government department, local or public authority.
In addition to the CPRs, the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 (BPRs) were adopted to address fair practice activities in business-to-business advertising including conditions related to comparative advertisements.
[edit] Scope of coverage
The CPRs are grouped into four general areas, including three actions that would be deemed unfair if they caused consumers to follow a different course of purchasing action. These are:
- Actions and omissions that could be deemed as misleading.
- Practices that would be labelled as aggressive.
- Actions that would be generally considered unfair or contrary to professional responsibilities.
The fourth CPR area covers 31 practices prohibited under any circumstances. These can be grouped into several general categories, including:
- False endorsements or authorisations.
- Inertia sales (sending unsolicited goods to potential customers to make a sale).
- Making unreasonable demands.
- Misleading availability.
- Misleading context or effect.
- Overly aggressive sales.
- Pyramid schemes.
- Prize draws.
Guidance offered through Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading describes all 31 specific prohibited practices in detail.
[edit] Identifying different types of customers
The CPRs recognise that it is possible for different types of consumers to respond to trading practices differently, and it has designated these types as:
- Average consumers. These customers are reasonably well informed, observant and circumspect.
- Targeted consumers. These customers have been selected based on the likelihood of their interest in a specific product or service.
- Vulnerable consumers. These customers may be part of a physical or mental demographic that makes them susceptible to unethical trading practices.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Competition and Markets Authority CMA.
- Consumer.
- Consumer Council for Water CCWater.
- Consumer Rights Act.
- Green Claims Code.
- Greenwashing.
- Guarantees.
[edit] External resources
- Legislation.gov.uk, The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
- Office of Fair Trading, Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading.
Featured articles and news
Renovating Union Chain Bridge.
Robots in the construction industry
From cultural characterisations to construction sites.
Empowering construction with AI integration
New horizons with a human touch.
A Better Hiring Toolkit for construction
Tooling up to hire under best practice standards in the sector.
Recharging Electrical Skills in Wales
Step by step collaborative solutions.
Ireland budget announcement 2025
CIOB responds with positivity, criticism and clarity.
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
Scope determination appeals and the Building Safety Act
Process explained following release of appeals guidance.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.