Buying and Selling Goods and Services

The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) helps to draft and regulate many of the UK laws, regulations and guidelines on advertising, package travel and timeshare, pricing and product description that help protect consumer and businesses from unscrupulous practices.

We want consumers and businesses to be able to trust advertisements, fairly compare prices and find goods that are honestly labelled, and services that are properly delivered. And we want to help businesses know the rules and regulations that apply to them and not have to face unfair competition from other traders operating illegally.

For further information on current policy please click the subject links in the menu on the left.

The Department does not provide advice on individual consumer problems or complaints, which should be taken to the Government-funded Consumer Direct. Consumers in Northern Ireland should contact Consumer Line on 0845 600 6262.

Catch-up on all the latest consumer policy news from the Department by subscribing to our monthly E-Bulletin. Please click here and tell us you first and last names and email address to be added to the circulation list.