STOP PRESS: On 6 April 2025, Part 3 (consumer protection enforcement) and Part 4, Chapter 1 (unfair commercial practices) (excluding sections 232, 234 and 235) of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 entered into force. This Practice Note is being updated to take account of this change. For more information, see Practice Note: Consumer protection from unfair trading under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

FORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 24 May 2024, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill received Royal Assent, becoming the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA 2024) and coming partly into force on that date. DMCCA 2024, s 251 (which is not yet in force) will revoke the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPUTR 2008), SI 2008/1277, which affects this Practice Note. Once revoked, the provisions presently contained in the CPUTR 2008 will be replaced by Part 4 of DMCCA 2024 (which largely replicates the requirements of the CPUTR 2008). The Advertising Standards Authority is also consulting on necessary updates to the Advertising Codes