From
1st June 2001, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and other
enforcement bodies will have new powers to stop rogue traders
in their tracks. The OFT and other bodies will be able to
apply to the courts for an immediate Stop Now Order which
could result in fines or imprisonment for contempt of court.
The OFT Director, John Vickers said "...we are writing
today (31st May 2001) to businesses that we believe are
harming consumers by infringing consumer protection laws
in a range of markets. These suspected breaches range from
supply of defective goods and materials to breaches of rules
on credit advertising. These new powers will help the OFT
in its task of making markets work well".
The
Stop Now Orders provide a strong enforcement mechanism for
local trading standard offices and other regulators. They
can be used against traders in the UK, members of the European
Union and EFTA, who breach or threaten to breach exisiting
regulations where this harms consumers.
