Consumer Protection Act 1999 · Updated to 1 Nov 2021 · Part V · Guarantees in Respect of Supply of Goods
34. Implied guarantee that goods comply with description
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When goods are supplied to a consumer by description, there is a guarantee that they match the description. Goods a consumer picks from a display for sale or hire can still be supplied by description. If goods are also supplied by sample or demonstration model, the guarantees in this section and section 35 apply.
Summary · Drafted with AI, checked against the official text on 30 Sep 2026.
Where goods are supplied by description to a consumer, there shall be implied a guarantee that the goods correspond with description.
goods
“goods” means goods which are primarily purchased, used or consumed for personal, domestic or household purposes, and includes— (a) goods attached to, or incorporated in, any real or personal property; (b) animals, including fish; (c) vessels and vehicles; (d) utilities; and (e) trees, plants and crops whether on, under or attached to land or not, but does not include choses in action, including negotiable instruments, shares, debentures and money;
A supply of goods is not prevented from being a supply by description by reason only that, being exposed for sale or hire, they are selected by a consumer.
consumer
“consumer” means a person who— (a) acquires or uses goods or services of a kind ordinarily acquired for personal, domestic or household purpose, use or consumption; and (b) does not acquire or use the goods or services, or hold himself out as acquiring or using the goods or services, primarily for the purpose of— (i) resupplying them in trade; (ii) consuming them in the course of a manufacturing process; or (iii) in the case of goods, repairing or treating, in trade, other goods or fixtures on land;
If the goods are supplied by reference to a sample or demonstration model as well as by description, the implied guarantees in this section and section 35 shall apply.