THE IMPACT OF THE CHANGES TO UK SALE OF GOODS LAW BROUGHT BY “THE SALE SUPPLY OF GOODS TO CONSUMERS REGULATIONS 2002” UPON CONSUMERS OF FOOD PRODUCTS

“1999/44/EC Directive on Aspects of the Sale of Goods and Associated Guarantees” was accepted in 1999 to bring minimum harmonization for the consumers all around the European Union. UK integrated the provisions of the Directive into its existing sales code by the “Sale Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002”. This Regulation brought some important changes to UK Sale of Goods Law, one which is that it can only be applied to consumer sales. Additionally to that, the Regulations 2002 give broadened definition of the concept of “conformity with the contract”, make changes in the concept of “satisfactory quality” and add new remedies to protect consumers. But it can be said that the main amendment made by the Regulation is on the remedies. If the goods do not conform to the contract of sale at the time of delivery, the buyer has the right to require the seller to repair or replace the goods, or to require the seller to reduce the purchase price of the goods to the buyer by an appropriate amount, or to rescind the contract with regard to the goods in question. Even though the Directive and the Regulation, bring some changes with the aim of consumer protection, in time it has been seen that they actually do not protect consumers better than the existing laws in UK.