The government has issued a commencement order confirming that the substantive provisions of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) will come into force on 1 October 2015.
The CRA will not, however, apply to consumer transport services contracts (which includes travel by air, sea, rail and inland waterway travel) until 1 April 2016.
The main changes being introduced by the CRA are to include new rights and remedies in relation to digital content as well as amendments to existing consumer rights and remedies for defective goods and services. The CRA will also reform the law on unfair contractual terms in consumer contracts.
As a result of the CRA coming into force the Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2015 will also come into force on 1 October 2015. These remove certain provisions of the Consumer Contract (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations (CCRs) which are now contained in the CRA. The CCRs have been amended with immediate effect to clarify that they do not apply to contracts for the sale of national lottery tickets.
Businesses should be aware of these changes and consider taking steps to educate their staff as to the likely effect on their business ahead of 1 October 2015.
If you would like us to consider the likely impact of these changes to your business, please contact our commercial team on on 01737 854 500 or find out more here.