# Complying with the distance selling directive

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/1998/12/01/complying-distance-selling-directive/
- Published: 1998-12-01T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Tips on how to comply with the EU Directive on distance selling with regard to trading
online.
The EU Directive designed to protect consumers in respect of contracts engaged
in by “means of distance communication” – in other words, where the customer is 
not physically present – is expected to be enacted in the UK by Parliament in 2000.
It will almost certainly apply to charities and their trading arms with regard to
how they sell goods and services online.

What should charities be doing now in order to comply?

 * Create a separate Web page which gives full details on all terms and conditions
   of trade. This isn’t essential but could prove the easiest method of highlighting
   this element of the contract with a consumer.
 * Create a system whereby the terms of the sale agreement are brought to the attention
   of the purchaser before they commit to buying.
 * State the conditions and methods by which consumers might cancel their purchase
   or sercure a refund.
 * State the price of goods or services, including all taxes.
 * Detail arrangements for payment, delivery or performance.
 * List the physical address of the place of business. Include any contacts to whom
   complaints and queries might be sent.
 * Make sure that the period for which a price or offer is valid is stated for each
   item.
 * List information on any guarantees which might exist, and the type and level 
   of after-sales service.
 * List details of how the contact might be cancelled, if it exceeds one year or
   is of an unspecified duration.

The above information is not intended as legal advice, not least because the practical
implementation of the Directive in the UK two years’ hence has not yet been formalised.
Nevertheless, trading charities should be aware of some of the requirements that
they will face.

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