They set out the information that traders must give consumers before making a sale and they provide consumers with the right to cancel contracts in certain circumstances.

Many provisions of the Regulations only apply to traders who make sales ‘off-premises’ (ie somewhere other than their own business premises) or by means of distance communication (for example by phone, by mail or online). However, some provisions of the Regulations also apply to sales that are made on the trader’s business premises.

This factsheet explains the obligations that the Regulations place on traders who make off-premises and distance sales, and the obligations they place on traders who only make sales on their own business premises. The factsheet also identifies the goods and services that are exempt from the Regulations.