New information requirements for service-sector businesses

Note: This is our original regulation update text, published on 25 November 2009. Unlike the rest of our site, this archived material is not updated if the law changes.
For an overview of current law in this area, see our guide: Customer protection

Relevant to
Most businesses in the UK selling - or planning to sell - services within the UK and/or in other European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The main exceptions are businesses involved in financial services, electronic communications, transport, the provision of temporary workers, healthcare, audiovisual services, gambling, private security and social services.

Took effect on
28 December 2009

From 28 December 2009, new legislation will make it easier for service-sector businesses to trade across the EEA and will enable online licence applications.

You will also have to make certain information available to your customers as follows:

the name, legal status and address of your business
if you are registered in a trade or other similar public register, the register's name and your registration number
particulars of the regulator if you are subject to an authorisation scheme in the UK or other EEA country
the relevant ID number if the service is subject to VAT
any professional body or similar institution with which you are registered, the professional title and the EEA country in which that title was granted
general terms and conditions
the existence of any contractual terms concerning the competent courts or the law applicable to the contract
the existence of any after-sales guarantee not imposed by law
the price of the service, where pre-determined
the main features of the service, if not clear from the context
if you are required to hold professional liability insurance or a guarantee, information about your cover and contact details of the insurer and territorial coverage
the contact details where customers can make a complaint

You will have to supply certain information if a customer asks for it.

You may provide this information on your website, in any documents you supply to customers or where the service is provided.

You must resolve complaints as quickly as possible, doing your best to find a satisfactory solution, and inform customers of any codes of conduct or dispute-resolution procedures you follow.

You must not discriminate on the grounds of nationality or place of residence in the general conditions you make publicly available.

Full title of regulation
Provision of Services Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2999)

From
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

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New information requirements for service-sector businesses

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