BUSINESSES and customers are being urged to brush up on their consumer rights knowledge following new legislation introduced by the Government.

Dorset-based law firm Battens Solicitors, which has offices in both Weymouth and Dorchester, says members of the public should know more about their rights and what they are entitled to when they buy products.

The New Consumer Rights Act 2015 was introduced at the start of October, and the aim of the act is to simplify, strengthen and modernise the law.

It replaces the Sale of Goods Act, Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations and Supply of Goods and Services Act.

Phil Burbidge, a consultant solicitor at Battens, said: “These changes are relevant to every business selling directly to consumers.

“They create a clearer and more easily understood arena where consumers can buy and businesses can sell to them with confidence.”

“Consumers now have a new and strengthened armoury.”

Provisions in the act include a new definition of "consumer" to include such persons as sole traders and the self-employed provided that their purchase is primarily for non-business purposes.

There are also provisions for when goods or digital content are faulty and when services are not provided with reasonable care and skill.

Mr Burbidge added: “Businesses and their staff, however, must be fully aware and prepared for a new era where transparency and prominence of trading terms and accountability for what is said and offered will become the norm.”

The act also introduces such measures as 30 days to get a refund when rejecting a faulty item, a tiered remedy system offering rejection, repair and replace, a refund in case of failed repairs, a second repair or replacement for those who don’t want a refund or price reduction, new digital rights for online or physically incorporated digital content, easier challenges to unfair items in consumer contracts, and requirement for prominence and transparency of main terms, and retailer’s service must comply with pre-contract information including spoken statements.

In addition, delivery rights make the retailer responsible for goods until they are in a consumer’s physical possession.

A trader is also obliged to repeat a service which is inadequate at no extra cost, within a reasonable time and without causing the consumer significant inconvenience or, where not possible, giving a price reduction possibly up to 100 per cent of the cost.

Furthermore, a trader must inform the consumer of his/her right to seek Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).