Consumer protection guidance for businesses
Find out how to comply with consumer protection law and view guidance by sector.
Why consumer protection matters
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) promotes competition and protects consumers.
Consumer protection gives consumers the confidence that the CMA is standing up for their interests. It also gives fair-dealing businesses the confidence to grow and invest on a level playing-field, knowing that their competitors cannot gain an unfair advantage by breaking the law.
Read more about the CMA and what we do.
Guidance by sector
How we investigate consumer issues
Find the CMA’s current and previous consumer enforcement investigations.
- How the CMA uses its direct consumer enforcement powers
- Direct consumer enforcement guidance: CMA200
- How the CMA gathers information to enforce consumer law
- Consumer protection: enforcement guidance (CMA58)
- The CMA’s approach to direct consumer protection
How best to make a competition or consumer law complaint and what happens next.
Tell us about a consumer protection problem
Tell the CMA about a consumer protection problem.
Anyone can use this service. If you have a problem with something you’ve bought or ordered, you can also check Help for consumers.
Other organisations that provide guidance to businesses
- CTSI Business Companion provides free, simple guidance to help business owners understand Trading Standards and consumer protection law
- ASA/CAP’s advice for businesses provides guidance for businesses on advertising
- ask a question directly to the ASA’s Copy Advice team for tailored advice
- sectoral regulators, including Ofcom, Ofgem, the FCA and others, also publish relevant guidance for businesses in their sectors
Businesses can also speak to their local Trading Standards Service for advice. Find your local Trading Standards office
Displaying prices for goods and services
Understand your responsibilities when:
- making urgency claims (for example, countdown timers or ‘act fast’ messages)
- making price reduction claims
- using dynamic pricing (also called ‘surge pricing’)
Making green claims about goods and services
How to make green claims responsibly.
Preventing fake reviews (including social media)
How to recognise fake reviews and your responsibilities to stop them.
Treating consumers fairly
How to avoid unfair commercial practices.
Writing fair contracts
How to make sure your terms and conditions are fair.
Updates to this page
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Guidance on online reviews and social media endorsements updated and references to DMCC Act 2024 added.
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'Unfair contract terms: materials for businesses' added to 'Unfair terms guidance' section.
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First published.