getsorted.Check your business
§ Guide

Do you need terms and conditions on your website?

Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 & Consumer Rights Act 2015

When this applies

Selling online to consumers likely requires compliant terms of sale, pre-contract information, and a 14-day cancellation right. These are statutory minimums, contract terms cannot remove them. A general website terms of use page is sensible but not legally required, it is the terms of sale and pre-contract information that the law mandates.

Consumer rights obligations apply to distance and off-premises sales. If you sell by phone, mail order, or at a customer's home, these rules likely apply.

When it does not apply

Consumer Contracts Regulations apply to B2C sales. If you sell only to businesses, these specific rules likely do not apply, though contract law still governs your agreements.

What is at stake

Consumers may cancel contracts, claim refunds, or bring claims if statutory rights are not met. Trading Standards can investigate.

What to do

Ensure your terms cover the statutory 14-day cancellation right for online/distance sales, provide required pre-contract information, and do not exclude statutory consumer rights.

Check all 27 regulations for your business

This is one of 27 checks getsorted runs. Answer around 12 questions and see your full compliance picture in three minutes. Free, no account.

Check your business →

Reviewed: 2026-07-10  ·  Source: official guidance