Many companies advertising goods for sale over the internet are breaching trading standards regulations, the Office of Fair Trading said today.

An inspection of 637 UK websites selling a range of products found that 52% failed to meet basic legal requirements.

Consumers shopping over the internet are entitled to protection under the Distance Selling Regulations, which came into force last October.

These include the right to clear information before placing an order, written confirmation of a purchase, a cooling-off period during which an order can be cancelled and full refunds if goods are not provided by an agreed date.

Inspectors from 28 trading standards authorities and the OFT surfed websites for products including books, music, toys, software and clothes.

One of the most common failings was not providing information on refunds and exchange.

John Vickers, director general of the OFT, said: "Consumers are now entitled to clear information when they buy from home, whether over the internet, telephone, digital TV or by mail order.

"Failure to tell consumers about their right to cancel and to a full refund is a breach of the new Distance Selling Regulations and something which must be put right.

"It is in the interests of consumers and good businesses to make ways of buying from home as robust as possible."

The OFT's results have been forwarded to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, for inclusion in an international survey. These will be published shortly by the Australian body.

Recent articles:
25.02.2001: Women seduced into debt by web
21.01.2001: Wary about shopping online
30.09.2000: Interview with OFT director general

Useful links:
<A HREF="http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/shopping"Guardian Unlimited Shopping

Useful sites:
OFT: advice
OFT: press release
ACCC: International Sweep Days
International Marketing Supervision Network
Consumers International