Commentary on Sections Part 3 Miscellaneous and General Chapter 1: Enforcement Etc. Section 77: Investigatory powers etc.
349.This section makes provision for the investigatory powers of consumer law enforcers. Consumer law, which includes enforcers’ investigatory powers, has built up piecemeal, resulting in the investigatory powers, contained in around 60 pieces of consumer legislation, being unclear, inconsistent and overlapping each other. In its consultation published in March 2012 entitled ‘Enhancing Consumer Confidence Through Effective Enforcement – Consultation on consolidating and modernising consumer law enforcement powers,’ BIS proposed simplifying the powers by consolidating them into one generic set.
350.This section gives effect to Schedule 5 on Investigatory Powers and Schedule 6 which details the consequential amendments in relation to the investigatory powers.