Trade_Descriptions_Act_1968
Trade Descriptions Act 1968
United Kingdom legislation
The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 (c. 29) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which prevents manufacturers, retailers or service industry providers from misleading consumers as to what they are spending their money on. This law empowers the judiciary to punish companies or individuals who make false claims about the products or services that they sell.
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Applying a false trade description to goods is a strict liability offence: provided it is shown that the description was applied and was false, the accused has to prove certain defences in order to escape conviction.
False descriptions as to services require the more normal proof of mens rea (guilty intent).
The act excludes matters relating to land and buildings, which are now dealt with under the provisions of the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991.