Accédez la page d'accueil dédiée aux ressources en française de SBBC
Utilisez notre outil de traduction pour le site entier
As a small business owner, are you aware of your obligations under British Columbia’s consumer protection laws? If you engage in any consumer transaction, there are rules and regulations that govern that sale to ensure it works smoothly for both parties. Certain types of businesses (such as travel agents) must also follow specific rules that apply to their sector.
In this article, we’ll detail British Columbia’s Consumer Protection Laws while clarifying your obligations as a business owner.
Consumer protection laws act as the glue that holds together a reliable economy. They protect consumers from fraudulent business practices, defective products, and dangerous goods and services. They also allow customers to make well-informed and confident decisions about where and how to spend their money.
Without the protection afforded by these rules, consumers would feel less confident in spending money. It’s in a business owner’s best interests to ensure they’re compliant.
The British Columbia Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA) is our province’s primary legislation governing consumer protection. This act provides a robust set of protections for consumers that allow them to shop with confidence. The BPCPA defines a consumer as any individual who acquires or uses goods or services for personal, family, or household purposes.
If you’re conducting business in British Columbia, you must meet the following obligations under our consumer protection laws.
Consumer Protection BC is a non-profit organization responsible for enforcing the BPCPA and other consumer protection laws in British Columbia. They provide a variety of services to consumers, including education and outreach programs and complaint resolution services.
Consumers who believe a business has broken any of the rules laid out above can file a complaint online with Consumer Protection BC. They will investigate the complaint and take appropriate action to enforce our consumer protection laws.
Under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, certain specialized businesses must conform to additional regulations before being licensed to conduct business in BC. These licensed businesses are subject to additional rules and are monitored to ensure compliance.
Regulates the sale of motor vehicles by motor dealer businesses. All motor vehicle dealerships, salespeople, broker agents and their representatives, and wholesalers must be registered under the act.
Governs how tickets to recreational, sporting and cultural events in BC can be sold or re-sold by businesses.
The Sale of Goods Act defines the rights and obligations of consumers and businesses when physical goods and services are sold and purchased.
Selling goods or services over the phone, or by email or fax, is considered a distance sales contract. Learn more about the regulations governing this growing market.
If you are a business that is selling goods or services that your customers don’t get right away or don’t pay in full upfront, your contracts may qualify as a future performance contract.
SBBC is a non-profit resource centre for BC-based small businesses. Whatever your idea of success is, we’re here to provide holistic support and resources at every step of the journey. Check out our range of business webinars, on-demand E-Learning Education, our Talk to an Expert Advisories, or browse our selection of business articles.