Dealing with faulty goodsFaulty goods: how your rights could change

Your right to get a full refund for faulty goods could be lost if a new proposal from The European Commission is passed.

The draft Consumer Rights Directive aims to make consumer protection rights the same across the EU, but we're worried it could mean UK consumers actually end up worse off.

How will the change affect me?

Our main concern is that consumers might lose the right to 'reject' a faulty product and get a full refund.

We think the right to 'reject' is important and should be retained as sometimes a repair or replacement of a faulty good isn't the best option.

• For example, if you bought a new car and found scratches in the paintwork, those scratches could easily be repaired, but the new car would have lost some of its value as it would have a re-spray history.
• If the car had faulty brakes they could be repaired, but you might not feel confident with the car any more.
• We're also concerned that consumers may lose the right to choose the remedy they want, and that the deadline for taking action would be shorter.

What can I do about this?

If you think the right to 'reject' is important and something we should keep, you should write to or email the Law Commission by 2 February 2009. The Law Commission is advising the UK government on whether the right to 'reject' a faulty good should be retained in the UK and its initial conclusion is that it should.

It is currently seeking views from all interested parties, so don't miss your chance to be heard. Further details can be found on the Law Commission website.