Consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime
- From:
- Department for Business and Trade
- Published
- 18 November 2024
- Last updated
- 2 April 2026 — See all updates
Read the full outcome
Summary
Government response to consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime (PDF version)
PDF, 398 KB, 21 pages
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Annex A: consultation and analysis methodology (PDF version)
PDF, 240 KB, 6 pages
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Annex B: summary of question responses
PDF, 478 KB, 57 pages
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Government response to consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime (PDF version)
PDF, 398 KB, 21 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
Annex A: consultation and analysis methodology (PDF version)
PDF, 240 KB, 6 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
Annex B: summary of question responses
PDF, 478 KB, 57 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
Detail of outcome
The consultation received 75 responses from a range of stakeholders, including consumer groups, businesses, charities, and legal experts. Following the consultation, the government will bring forward secondary legislation to strengthen consumer protections when people enter into subscription contracts.
We are making it easier for consumers to manage their subscriptions, including:
- clearer pre-contract information
- reminders before renewals
- straightforward ways to cancel
Further detail is set out in the consultation response.
Original consultation
Summary
We are seeking views on our legislative proposals for subscription contracts between traders and consumers. This consultation will inform secondary legislation.
This consultation iswas being held on another website.
This consultation closesran atfrom
to
Consultation description
This consultation is seeking views on our proposals for how the regime will work in practice and will inform secondary legislation and guidance.
The consultation includes proposals in relation to:
- cooling-off cancellation rights: returns and refunds
- cancellation remedies for breach of duties
- repayment of refunds
- contractual terms for exiting a contract
- arrangements for exiting a contract
- information notices
- pre-contract information
We would like to hear from anyone with an interest in subscription contracts, but in particular:
- individual traders and their representatives who consider they will be in scope of the subscription rules
- businesses that support traders to deliver their subscription services, including e-commerce platforms
- consumer advocacy groups
- legal firms
- enforcement authorities
Documents
Consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime (PDF version)
PDF, 486 KB, 75 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Consultation description
This consultation is seeking views on our proposals for how the regime will work in practice and will inform secondary legislation and guidance.
The consultation includes proposals in relation to:
- cooling-off cancellation rights: returns and refunds
- cancellation remedies for breach of duties
- repayment of refunds
- contractual terms for exiting a contract
- arrangements for exiting a contract
- information notices
- pre-contract information
We would like to hear from anyone with an interest in subscription contracts, but in particular:
- individual traders and their representatives who consider they will be in scope of the subscription rules
- businesses that support traders to deliver their subscription services, including e-commerce platforms
- consumer advocacy groups
- legal firms
- enforcement authorities
Documents
Consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime (PDF version)
PDF, 486 KB, 75 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
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Updates to this page
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Outcome of the consultation added, including attachments of the government response to the consultation, consultation and analysis methodology and a summary of the question responses.
-
First published.
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Update history
2026-04-02 09:30
Outcome of the consultation added, including attachments of the government response to the consultation, consultation and analysis methodology and a summary of the question responses.
2024-11-18 09:30
First published.