BERR consults on 'root and branch' review of consumer law

The UK's current consumer laws are found in more than 100 different pieces of legislation, according to UK Business Secretary John Hutton. "Its complexity makes it hard to understand and costs business an estimated £1.25 billion every year," he said.

"For example, we currently have specific rules for filling up coal bunkers and selling bird seed, imitation baby dummies and clothes with hood cords," said Hutton. "It is clear that we must act to streamline these myriad rules to help consumers know and exercise their rights, cut red tape and target enforcement to weed out rogue traders."

Hutton was addressing a conference hosted by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the National Consumer Council.

He called for business and consumer groups to come forward with evidence that could inform what was the Government describes as a "root and branch review of consumer law".

The consultation paper proposes simplifying the law by replacing today's 100-plus consumer laws with more flexible, general rules to help reduce the burden on business. A small number of core consumer rights should be brought together in a single Act of Parliament, it says.

To help support the review, BERR has also commissioned a survey look at the perceptions of consumers across different markets, focusing on confidence, transparency, complaints and vulnerable consumers.

"This survey, the first of its kind in the UK, will shine a light on unfair or anti-competitive behaviour and root out problem sectors or industries," said Hutton.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 31st July 2008.