The Consumer Rights Bill 2022 cleared the Seanad yesterday and will now be sent to President Michael D. Higgins to be signed into law.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has welcomed the law as providing clarity to consumers and businesses, setting out specific obligations for traders and ensuring greater transparency for consumers before and after purchase.

The bill will improve access to redress for consumers in the case of faulty goods or services, and consumers will now have significantly greater protections when buying digital services and content.

Online reviews are also addressed in the bill, which prohibits the posting of false reviews or endorsements and requires traders to make efforts to verify purchases by reviewers.

Kevin O’Brien, member of the CCPC, said: “The Consumer Rights Bill is an important step forward for consumer rights in Ireland.

“It will significantly improve protections and enhance the CCPC’s powers of enforcement. Consumer rights will be strengthened throughout the purchasing process – from the initial shopping stages, to the moment of sale, and beyond to any issues arising after purchase.

“Every year, thousands of consumers contact the CCPC helpline in relation to faulty goods and services. This bill will strengthen the rights and remedies available to these consumers.

“The bill also expands and strengthens our enforcement powers – the CCPC will now be able to act against traders who fail to provide a remedy or reimbursement to which consumers are entitled.”