Trading Standards to help Highland businesses provide new consumer rights
1st October 2015
On 1 October 2015 the law changes as new consumer rights come into force. The Highland Council's Trading Standards team is offering advice and assistance to Highland businesses to ensure that they continue to give their customers a good and fair deal.
The new consumer rights include:
· A new 30-day time limit for consumers to "reject" faulty goods and receive a refund.
· Businesses will only have one attempt to repair or replace faulty goods.
· Brand new provisions for "digital content", bringing consumer law up-to-date.
· Claims and promises made during discussions with consumers about services (e.g. home improvements) will be contractually binding on businesses.
Trading Standards Manager Gordon Robb explained:“These are the biggest changes to consumer rights in a generation. We realise that it can be tricky for small businesses to know all the ins and outs of such laws and by assisting our local businesses where we can, want to make sure that they are able to maintain their reputation and give their customers a fair deal.”
Detailed guidance can be found on the Highland Council website Trading Standards pages, where there are also links to complementary guidance provided by partner agencies at: www.highland.gov.uk/consumer-rights-act-2015 . Highland businesses with specific queries can phone Trading Standards on 01463 228700, e-mail trading.standards[AT]highland.gov.uk or write to Trading Standards, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness, IV1 1UF.
Gordon Robb continued:“We are providing general guidance and advice on request. However, we want Highland businesses to tell us if we could be doing more to help and whether for example there is an appetite for business seminars or by offering to come and speak to business groups. In recent years we have held set-piece seminars following changes in the law that focused on distinct business sectors: e.g. the car trade, estate agents and petrol retailers. The fact that these new laws apply to everyone in retail makes such set-piece seminars much more of a challenge, but by seeking the views of business it is hoped that with their input and support we can satisfy any demand.”
A campaign is also planned to raise awareness among consumers during “National Consumer Week” later in the year. Trading Standards will team up with local CABs to make sure consumers know their rights in the lead up to Christmas. For now though, the focus is on helping business to know, understand and follow the new rules.
Highland shoppers who feel they have been denied their rights can receive initial advice from Trading Standards' partner body, the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on telephone 03454 04 05 06. Cases needing more detailed advice, intervention or investigation are referred to Trading Standards for action.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Households across Scotland have received £4.1 billion in relief since the Council Tax Reduction scheme was introduced in 2013. People on low incomes are eligible for the benefit if they live in Scotland - there is no equivalent in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.
The Highland Council is preparing to carry out improvement works in Thurso at Ormlie Road and at The Mall riverside path adjacent to Janet Street. The scope of works on Ormlie Road will include junction improvements between Castlegreen Road and Juniper Drive with new drop kerbs and tactile paving and some surface repairs.
A Highland-wide partnership launched earlier in 2024 to support people on their journey towards, into and within employment is looking forward to a New Year in 2025 full of exciting opportunities designed to help hundreds more people across the Highlands unlock their work potential. Work.
The Highland Council is delighted to share that its Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme has won the Outstanding Project Award at the Scottish Green Energy Awards. Described by Scottish Renewables as a "pioneering clean power scheme", this £7 million project demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved through combined public and private sector investment.
The ambitious yet focused ‘Highland Investment Plan' is committed to addressing our asset challenges over the next twenty years. By using a place based approach, to ensure a more integrated community offering through the creation of new community facilities.
Applications to the Inverness Winter Payments Scheme, which is fully funded by the Inverness Common Fund, have already been awarded to 1,035 eligible households within the 7 specified Inverness Wards. Leader of Inverness Area, Councillor Ian Brown said: "Since the Scheme was opened to applications for this winter, already £114,885 has been awarded to people who live in the eligible Wards of Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South Wards.
The first Highland-wide virtual jobs fair held last month has proved to be a hit with participants and businesses. The week-long virtual event, which was delivered by the Local Employability Partnership for the West - The Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Department for Work and Pensions, Developing the Young Workforce and UHI North West and Hebrides was timed to coincide with Scottish Careers Week 2024.
