The European Commission Consumer Rights Directive will be implemented on 13 June 2014.

The bulk of the Directive deals with distance and off-premises sales with various measures to give consumers consistent protection across Europe. A guidance document covering the provisions of the Directive is available.

In the UK the requirement for a “basic rate” telephone number has proven quite complicated as there are so many different tariffs available. The range of so-called geographic numbers (and indeed any free to caller options) are deemed to comply, while the revenue-sharing options do not. Ofcom is also set to change the UK’s number range next year.

BIS published their own guidance at the end of 2013 explaining the provisions of the Directive as implemented in the UK.