Legal help could be needed 14-day return rules

More people could search for legal help if EU amendments to the Consumer Rights Directive are given the go-ahead.

It is planned that consumers will be given 14 days – double the current number – to return a purchase to the place where it was bought from if they change their mind.

Quentin Pain, founder of accounting firm Accountz, said that the proposed rule changes are "absolutely crazy" and could be harmful to the growth of online trading.

"The internet is key to the success of any SME; it enables small businesses to offer choice and price competitiveness. These amendments will go a huge way to deterring the growth of start-ups which in turn will have a huge ripple effect on the entire economic recovery," he added.

Furthermore, the EU changes could see retailers being forced to cover the return costs for orders worth more than £35, while they might also be made to sell into any country in the union.

Recently, the UK government announced that consumers would be given the right to see data held on them by certain companies, allowing them access to cheaper deals elsewhere.