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Consumer Toolkit
Practical Law Toolkit w-006-5561 (Approx. 17 pages)
Consumer Toolkit
by Practical Law Commercial Transactions
| Maintained • USA (National/Federal) |
Resources to assist in identifying key legal and business issues for manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of consumer goods and services.
In recent years, the government has made the protection of consumers a priority. As a result, manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of consumer goods and services face laws that aim to:
- Protect consumers by ensuring that they can make informed, safe purchases.
- Shield consumers from harassment by telemarketers and spammers.
The laws a company must comply with depend on:
- The type of good or service for sale.
- Where the seller is in the supply chain.
- Where the sale is made, including:
- which state; and
- whether in-person or online.
- Whether the product or service was imported.
The vast network of sellers and varying types of goods and services sold has added to the complexity of consumer law. Federal agencies that regulate aspects of consumer law include the:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Many states and municipalities also have their own consumer protection laws and regulatory enforcement agencies to enforce them.
The Consumer Toolkit is a collection of continuously maintained resources designed to help attorneys comply with applicable consumer laws, minimize the risk of legal challenges, and overcome potential regulatory obstacles in the sale of consumer goods and services.
This toolkit does not include resources regarding the laws and regulations that protect consumers in their financial dealings. For information on financial consumer protections, see Practice Note, US Consumer Regulatory Law: Overview.