NAFD Campaigns for exemption from new
doorstep selling regulations
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) is continuing to lobby for exemption for funeral directors from any extended cooling-off period and cancellation rights for at need funerals, as outlined in the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill.
Representatives of the NAFD recently joined the chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group at a meeting with Ian McCartney MP, Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs at the DTI. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the implications of the Bill on the funeral sector and explain that, without an exemption, bereaved families would be entitled to ask for their money back or to refuse to make payment because they could cancel the contract after a funeral has been carried out.
Currently, the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded Away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987 give consumers a seven day cooling-off period when they agree
to buy goods or services worth more than £35 from a trader during an unsolicited visit to
their home.
Following a public consultation on doorstep selling and cold calling, the Government published the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill in which it proposes to give individuals the right to cancel contracts for goods and services made during solicited visits to their home or office. Following further consultation later this year, the Government is looking to implement revised Regulations in 2008.
“We received a very warm response from the Minister and his officials, who are aware of the funeral sector’s concerns and understand why an exemption is important to us,” said NAFD chief executive officer Alan Slater.
“Our input into the debate was welcomed and we will continue to work closely with the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group to consult on this issue.”