About the law
The Consumer Protection (Unfair Practices) (Jersey) Law came into force on the 8th June 2018.
The law is designed to protect both consumers and businesses, covering all business to consumer transactions. It bans traders in all sectors from using unfair commercial practices towards consumers and stops aggressive selling techniques and misinforming and misleading people about products or services.
The law covers a general ban on conduct below a level which consumers should expect, eg honest market practice and good faith.
A practice will be deemed unfair if it harms or is likely to harm the economic interests of the average consumer.
For example, when a shopper is unfairly pressured into buying goods or is given wrong information about the goods they have purchased by the trader.
The law in practice
Businesses that deal fairly and honestly with their customers may not need to change the way they work at all. To make sure you’re treating your customers properly, you and your managers should read and understand the law, which is available online.
Consumer Protection (Unfair Practices) (Jersey) Law on the Jersey Law website
If you don’t comply with this new law, you may be investigated by Trading Standards and you may be asked to give an assurance that you will immediately stop the unfair commercial practice.
Contact Trading Standards for further advice.
Benefits for your business
Businesses will no longer have to face unfair competition from traders who use underhand practices and the law simplifies consumer protection, making it clear which commercial practices are banned.
The 31 banned practices
gov.je