WIREDGOV

Too much information can harm

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2007/104) issued by The Government News Network on 14 November 2007

John Hutton today announced a series of measures to help consumers make informed choices and understand the potential dangers or risks of products and service they purchase.

"Too Much Information Can Harm", a Department for Business (BERR) and the National Consumer Council (NCC) report highlights how much of the vital information provided with products and services is never read because it is too long or too complicated.

Examples included a toaster manual with more than 50 different safety warnings, and a store card agreement form that took more than an hour to read.

The measures include:

* Reviewing the information provided on consumer credit agreements with a view to making it useful, clear and simple for consumers.

* Testing information on consumers before applying it too goods and services and ensuring it is regularly reviewed

* Putting greater emphasis on the desired outcome of the information but giving greater freedom to businesses on the way it is provided

* Introducing a small print award to recognise best practice

Business Secretary John Hutton, said:

"We are all familiar with times when the information provided with a product or a contract is so lengthy or confusing we simply disregard it.

"This information is expensive to provide, costing business over £1.5 bn a year and simply confuses consumers. It is unacceptable that consumers are taking decisions in the dark unaware of the potential dangers or consequences.

"We are acting to give the power back to consumers to make informed choices by rationalising information and making sure it is presented as simply as possible." Ed Mayo, NCC Chief Executive, said: "Consumers would welcome a common sense approach. Too much of what's provided is turgid and confusing. 'Typical time wasters include over 50 safety warnings for a toaster, 17 recycling symbols which few people recognise, and the hour it takes to read a credit agreement."

Notes to editors:

1. The NCC and the Better Regulation Executive (BRE), part of BERR, published an interim report to Government in July 2007 as a consultative discussion document. The recommendations in the final report are based on the interim report and responses.

2. The NCC and BRE final report and Government response can be found at http://bre.berr.gov.uk/regulation