Legislation

The legislative process provides a framework in which all organisations can manage their business activities, competently, fairly, safely and ethically. Although some form statutory legislation, others are voluntarily self-regulated, however all are mandatory and penalties can be enforced if a business fails to comply, either through a court of law, or financially. Businesses that are compliant do credit to themselves and to their workforce. The following list is not exhaustive, but instead brings to the fore some of the numerous areas of legislation within the UK that serve to protect the individual, be that a business or domestic consumer:-

• The Trade Descriptions Act (1968)
• The Sale of Goods Act (1979)
• The Consumer Protection Act (1987)
• Data Protection Act (1998)
• The Communications Act (2003)
• The Code of Advertising Practice (2003)
• The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations (2004)