Pricing information

There are several pieces of legislation that protect people from the activities of unscrupulous or dishonest traders.

Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

If you sell goods or services to consumers, you must comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. These regulations ban traders from using any unfair commercial practices which mislead customers into buying goods or services they might not otherwise have bought. Commercial practices are any actions you take - or omissions you make - that are directly connected to supplying goods and services to members of the public.

Commercial practices include providing information about prices. The regulations specifically ban traders from:

• misleading consumers about an item's price, or the way in which the price is worked out
• misleading consumers by claiming a price advantage that doesn't exist - for example making a false claim that your products are cheaper than a competitor's
• leaving out details of extra hidden costs - such as taxes, delivery or postal charges

Other legislation

You'll also need to comply with other legislation that covers pricing practices, including the:

• Consumer Rights Act 2015
• Consumer Credit Act 1974
• Price Marking Order (Northern Ireland) 2004

There are specific regulations covering pricing information provided by certain types of business. 

There are also rules governing misleading advertisements. 

Business to business

If your customers are other businesses, you'll need to comply with the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008. These regulations cover:

• misleading pricing information
• when a business can use advertising that identifies a competitor or their products and services