Consumer protection law approved

The new law will protect consumers against faulty goods

A law to protect consumers has been approved by the States to safeguard people buying goods or services.

The new law clarifies what residents can reasonably expect when buying items or employing people to carry out work and the materials that are used.

Independent sellers and auctioneers must also adhere to the regulations.

The law provides information for consumers seeking redress if they feel let down and clarifies that only a verbal contract is needed.

Currently, if a consumer buys something in Jersey which is faulty, the trader is under no legal requirement to provide a refund.

The new Consumer Protection Law will come into practice from September 1.

The States approved a Fair Trading law in 1993, but it was never enforced.