The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 ‘the Regulations’ are designed to govern transactions where a business sells goods or services to a consumer where there parties are not physically present at the time of the transaction. This article explores key features of the Regulations, issues of compliance your business should address where the Regulations apply. Do the Regulations Apply to Your Business?If you sell goods or services to consumers:·on the internet ·interactive digital television ·by mail order, including catalogue shopping ·by phone ·by fax, and including advertising on television or radio, in newspapers or magazinesthe Regulations may apply to your business.The Regulations apply to the sale of both goods and services where the contract is made without any face to face contact between the supplier and the consumer. The Regulations do not apply to business to business transactions and certain other transactions excluded by the Regulations. The Regulations do however apply to individual to consumer transactions where the individual is acting in the course of his business, trade or profession.All businesses must comply with the Regulations, and therefore need to check their business practices to ensure they comply.Key features·the consumer must be given clear information about the goods or services offered before he buys (the ‘Prior Information’ right) ·after making a purchase the consumer must be sent confirmation (the ‘Written Confirmation’ right) ·consumer is entitled to a ‘cooling-off period’ of 7 working days ·new powers of enforcement are given to local Trading Standards Departments and the OFT (the ‘Enforcement Authorities’)