8 March 2010
Legal implications – Distance Selling Regulations 2000 and the E-Commerce Regulations 2002

The Distance Selling Regulations 2000 and the E-Commerce Regulations 2002 implement two European Directives designed to harmonise standards across the European Union by imposing a minimum level of consumer protection throughout member states.

According to the Regulations, customers are entitled to –

The right to receive clear information about goods and services before deciding to purchase

Confirmation of this information in writing (letter or e-mail)

A cooling off period of seven working days in which the consumer can withdraw from the contract

Protection from credit card fraud

Your web site must include the following –

The full name of your business

Business contact details including an e-mail address

An address for your business that shows your actual geographic location

Your VAT registration number anywhere that you are showing prices on your site

Terms and Conditions

The regulations require that, when orders are being placed on line, users be given the ability to identify and correct input errors before completing their orders. The web site should make clear how contracts are formed and the procedure for taking payment or any refunding deemed necessary.