Satisfactory Quality

Section 9 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides that 'every contract to supply goods is to be treated as including a term that the quality of the goods is satisfactory.' The Act sets an objective standard: 'the quality of goods is satisfactory if they meet the standard that a reasonable person would consider satisfactory, taking account of' the description of the goods, the price or other consideration paid, and 'all the other relevant circumstances'. The statute goes on to specify that 'the quality of goods includes their state and condition', and that this covers, among other things, 'fitness for all the purposes for which goods of that kind are usually supplied', appearance and finish, freedom from minor defects, safety, and durability.

The satisfactory quality term is not absolute. Section 9(4) provides that it does not cover a defect specifically drawn to the consumer's attention before the contract is made, a defect that the consumer's own pre-contract examination of the goods ought to have revealed, or, for a sample sale, a defect apparent on reasonable examination of the sample. The 'relevant circumstances' relevant to satisfactory quality can also include public statements about the goods' characteristics made by the trader, producer, or their representatives — including in advertising or labelling — unless the trader can show it was unaware of the statement, the statement was withdrawn or corrected before the contract, or the statement could not have influenced the consumer's decision to buy.