The European Directive

The European Directive which has now come into force in the UK was originally proposed in 1998. Yet it was only in July 2002 that the UK Government started to put its version of the Directive through Parliament - turning the EU Directive into a UK Regulation.

A QUICK GUIDE: THE EU DIRECTIVE

Ensure your web site has:
Full contact address details
Details of any of your trade organisations
Details of professional qualification you hold in order to perform your business
Details of schemes which validate your goods/services
Your VAT number
Full price details including delivery and taxes.

Ensure your emails:
Are clearly identified as commercial communications
Identify the organisation on whose behalf they are sent
If sent unsolicited, are described in a way that can be blocked automatically at the receiver's end.

Ensure your purchasing set-up:
Includes code of conduct, if you have one, and how users can employ them.
If there are terms and conditions, put them in a form the user can easily download
Has a facility for the user to correct their order before the order is officially taken
Acknowledges order receipt
Says who will fulfill the order
Identifies the languages the order contract can be made in
For comprehensive information see www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022013.htm