ABSTRACT
A new dimension has been added to the problem of consumer protection by the growth and success of the internet which has led to an increase in distance sales, often involving cross-border relationships. The aims of the White Paper were to create strong, competitive businesses via informed and demanding consumers whilst at the same time reducing unnecessary regulation, which can strangle small businesses. The White Paper promised a rolling review of all consumer protection legislation to ensure that it remains necessary, and that the costs to businesses do not exceed the benefits to consumers. The government's consumer protection strategy is founded on selfregulation as an alternative to regulation wherever possible and government intervention in markets to be kept to 'the absolute minimum'. the government's consumer strategy can be summarised as: informing and empowering consumers; enabling and encouraging civil enforcement by consumers themselves; and a transition away from public regulation towards self-regulation, and from criminal to civil law.
