CALLING all traders - do you know about the distance selling regulations?

City of York Council trading standards department is supporting the launch of new campaign by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to raise awareness of the Distance Selling Regulations (DSRs) among businesses, after research found that many traders are unaware of this law governing transactions which are not made "face to face".

Part of the work of the York trading standards office is to provide advice and information to our local businesses.

The Distance Selling Regulations actually came into force on October 31, 2000, and are designed to offer protection to consumers who purchase goods and services without face-to-face contact with suppliers.

Home shopping is a growing market worth £11 billion in the UK. In 2003, 48 per cent of UK households had access to the internet, with more than 50 per cent of adults buying goods and services online - anything from computers, to DVDs to groceries. Those over 60 are particularly keen internet shoppers, making up 12 per cent of internet users in the UK.

The regulations give extra protection to consumers who shop using methods such as mail order, the internet, telephone or cable television, but they do not apply to financial services, auctions, vending machines and pay phones.

Some of the provisions of the legislation may not apply to deliveries of goods such as food or beverages, transport, accommodation, catering or leisure services provided on specific dates.

But if you supply clothing through a catalogue or newspaper advertisement, CDs or a minidisc player or on the internet, or if you are phoned to arrange a gas or electricity supply, the rules will apply.

Most businesses who regularly sell by such means must comply with the DSRs. The OFT's campaign is designed to help businesses ensure that they comply with the regulations.

York trading standards department advises that under the regulations, traders must give consumers

Clear information about the goods or services offered before purchase

Written confirmation of the purchase and delivery details

A seven-working-day cooling-off period in which the order can be cancelled and a refund claimed.

The regulations also provide that consumers who receive unsolicited goods or services have no obligation to pay for them and make it safer for them to use their credit card or other payment card on the internet, over the phone or for mail order,

For further information about the Distance Selling Regulations, a copy of a new guide, Home Shopping, Distance Selling Regulations - A Guide For Business, or a consumer guide to the regulations phone City of York trading standards department on 01904 551562 or call at 9 St Leonard's Place, York. Alternatively email trading standards at trading.standards@york.gov.uk

Updated: 08:51 Thursday, April 01, 2004