BEIS call for evidence on the Consumer Contract Regulations (CCR)

BEIS has published a call for evidence on the Consumer Contract Regulations (CCR). These regulations govern:

• the information which a trader must give to a consumer before and after making a sale
• how that information should be given
• the right for consumers to change their minds when buying at a distance or off-premises
 
They also ban practices such as:
• additional payments which appear as a default option
• requiring customers to pay more than the basic phone rate for post-contract customer helplines
 
From a tourism point of view, one of the most important aspects of the CCR is the “right to cancellation” provisions for off-premises sales. Currently, for most goods and services, customers have a 14 day right to return goods or cancel services. However, there is an exemption to these cancellation rights for a wide range of tourism products including tourism accommodation, flights, car hire, tickets to events and services relating to leisure activities that take place on a specified date or period. BEIS is considering modifying or removing this exemption, with the consultation document stating that “Initial feedback from some stakeholders suggests that in some circumstances, certain exemptions could be causing consumer detriment, for example hotel bookings” and citing recent work that the CMA has been undertaking on OTAs.
 
It is therefore important for the tourism industry to respond to this consultation. If anyone wishes the Wales Tourism Alliance to respond, with any issues you would like us to forward  -  [email protected] alternatively you can place your own response. The closing date for submissions is 1 May 2019 and can be send to : [email protected]
 
Alternatively, you can complete the online survey https://beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/ccp/consumer-contract-regs-2014-review-cfe/
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