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Written question asked by David Davis (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Kate Dearden (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Consumer Goods: Software

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will introduce mandatory minimum service and functionality periods for smart home devices to prevent sudden product obsolescence.

Answer

The department considers the current consumer protection framework to be adequate in providing protection against unfair practices.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods or digital content must be of satisfactory quality, fit for a particular purpose and as described by the seller. A trader can upgrade, fix, and improve the features of, or add new features to, digital content so long as it continues to match any description given by the trader. It must also continue to conform with any pre-contract information as to main characteristics, functionality, and compatibility provided by the trader.

Government has also recently given the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new powers to ensure designated digital firms provide services on fair and reasonable terms. These powers focus on the most powerful firms, supporting competition and tackling harmful practices in UK digital markets. In May, the CMA launched a Strategic Market Status designation investigation into Microsoft's business software, including cloud. This investigation is expected to conclude in February 2027.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10088
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Software Consumer goods Standards
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk