Consultation on the Regulation of Small Print in Consumer Contracts

The department’s Consultation Paper looks at what is meant by ‘small print’ and outlines the current statutory, common law and sectoral rules on small print and related presentational matters in Ireland and elsewhere. It then sets out options for the future statutory regulation of small print in consumer contracts, and seeks views on these options.

In its final report on the legislation governing the sale of goods and the supply of services, the Sales Law Review Group recommended that:

Regulations regulating print size and related presentational matters in consumer contracts should be introduced. The content of such Regulations should be determined after consultations with business and consumer interests.

In response to this recommendation, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation indicated his intention to introduce curbs on small print in consumer contracts, possibly by requiring a minimum font size and mandatory font colour.

The department’s Consultation Paper looks at what is meant by ‘small print’ and outlines the current statutory, common law and sectoral rules on small print and related presentational matters in Ireland and elsewhere. It then sets out options for the future statutory regulation of small print in consumer contracts, and seeks views on these options.

Responses to the consultation should be sent by Monday, 18 March 2013 by email to conspol@djei.ie or by post to Competition and Consumer Policy Section, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Earlsfort Centre, Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2.

Report on the Legislation Governing the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services of the Sales Law Review Group