Web Design Essex

As a website owner, you must ensure your site conforms to current legislation. The rules & regulations regarding website operation are there to improve trading standards, security & privacy, as well as ensuring accessibility for users with disabilities.

Our Role

Responsibility to comply with these regulations ultimately falls upon the website owner, but here at WebExpress we will advise which areas are relevant to you.

As part of our design process, we'll supply you with detailed information on compliance with these areas, but please see below for a brief outline.

1. The Data Protection Act 1998

   Most business sites have to abide by the the Data Protection Act 1998.

   If your business has an internet presence, and you collect or store any information from prospective clients, then you must find out if you need to apply for registration as a Data Controller under The Data Protection Act 1998.

   The Data Protection Act 1998 applies to most businesses that collect and store email addresses or personal information for the purpose of supplying goods or services.

   There are exemptions, and you may as a small business qualify for exemption. To find out whether you need to register as a Data Controller, please use the official Government site linked below.

   Data Protection Act 1998

2. Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations

   All sites need to conform to The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.

   If your business has an internet presence, and you collect or store any information from prospective clients or website users, then have a Privacy Policy containing certain information about the way this information is used.

   Users need to be informed how the information is used, and who it may be disclosed to.

   Users need to be able to opt out of information disclosure for any purpose.

   Users need to be advised if the site uses Cookies.

   For more information on the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations please follow the link below.

   The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003

3. Accessibility - The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)

   Most business sites need to conform to the DDA 1995.

   If your business has an internet presence your website must be accessible to disabled people. Companies are required to ensure that websites can be accessed by disabled users.

   The DDA 1995 says

   'It is unlawful for a provider of services to discriminate against a disabled person [...] in refusing to provide, or deliberately not providing, to the disabled person any service which he provides, or is prepared to provide, to members of the public'.

   A business with a site not seen to be complying with the current regulations is liable to legal action for discrimination, resulting in heavy fines.

   For more information on these regulations, please visit the link below.

   The Disability Discrimination Act 1995

4. E-Commerce Regulations

   Since 2002 online retail & most other business sites need to conform to this legislation.

   The E-Commerce (EC) Directive came into force in 2002, and lays out some of the regulations an online retailer must adhere to. They state that Online marketing, selling and advertising is subject to UK law, if the business is UK based or established.
   Users of internet services have to get clear information about the business, commercial communications, and how to complete a transaction.

   The E-Commerce Regulations 2002

5. Distance Selling Regulations

   Sites which conduct business online need to comply with Distance Selling Regulations.

   Online businesses should have knowledge of the obligations set out in the Distance Selling Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No. 2334), on consumer protection in distant contracts.

   To read more about these regulations, please visit the link below.

   Distance Selling Regulations 2000

If you require any other advice or guidance on website regulations, please feel free to contact us.