The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Credit Act 1974 are two major UK consumer protection laws — but they do very different things.

The Consumer Rights Act sets out the standards goods, services and digital content must meet. The Consumer Credit Act, particularly Section 75, provides financial protection when purchases are made using credit.

Understanding the difference between them helps you know who to claim against and what remedy you are entitled to.

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What the Consumer Rights Act 2015 Covers

The Consumer Rights Act applies when a trader supplies:

  • Goods.
  • Digital content.
  • Services.

It sets legal standards. For example, goods must be:

  • Of satisfactory quality.
  • Fit for purpose.
  • As described.

If those standards are breached, you may be entitled to remedies such as:

The Act applies whether you paid by cash, debit card, credit card, bank transfer or finance.

You can read the official legislation here: Consumer Rights Act 2015.

What the Consumer Credit Act 1974 Covers

The Consumer Credit Act regulates credit agreements such as credit cards, loans, and hire purchase agreements.

Its most important consumer protection is Section 75, which makes a credit provider jointly liable with the trader for breach of contract or misrepresentation.

This applies when:

  • You paid some or all of the cost with a credit card, a point-of-sale loan (finance arranged by the retailer) or certain catalogue shopping accounts. It doesn’t apply to debit cards.
  • The cash price of the item is more than £100 and not more than £30,000. It’s the item’s price that counts, not the amount you put on credit.
  • There’s a qualifying debtor–creditor–supplier arrangement linking you, the lender and the business you bought from.

You can claim from the lender as well as, or instead of, the trader. It often makes sense to contact the trader first, because that can be the quickest fix, but you don’t legally have to wait for them to refuse or go bust before claiming under Section 75.

Official legislation: Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Key Differences

Consumer Rights Act 2015 Consumer Credit Act 1974

Sets quality standards for goods, services and digital content Regulates credit agreements

Gives rights against the trader Allows claims against the lender

Applies regardless of payment method Applies only where credit is used

Provides repair, replacement, refund rights Provides joint liability protection

How They Work Together

The two Acts often operate together.

The Consumer Rights Act tells you whether the goods or services are faulty.

Where Section 75 applies, the Consumer Credit Act makes the lender equally responsible for a breach of those rights, so you can recover your money from the lender.

For a detailed explanation of how this interaction works in practice, see How Section 75 and the Consumer Rights Act Interact.

Example

You buy a £2,000 kitchen appliance using your credit card.

  • If it develops a serious fault, the Consumer Rights Act gives you the right to reject or request repair.
  • Section 75 also lets you claim from your credit card provider. You can do this whether or not you’ve gone to the retailer first, and it’s especially useful if the retailer refuses or goes out of business.

Which Law Should You Rely On?

It usually makes sense to start by complaining to the trader under the Consumer Rights Act, because it’s often the quickest fix. But that isn’t a legal requirement. On a qualifying Section 75 claim the lender is jointly liable, so you can claim from them at the same time or instead.

Section 75 is particularly useful if:

  • The trader refuses to cooperate.
  • The trader is insolvent.
  • The trader ignores your complaint.

Enforcement and Escalation

If a trader breaches the Consumer Rights Act, you can escalate to:

If a lender refuses a valid Section 75 claim, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.