21Duty to have regard to consumer interestsS
(1)A relevant public authority must, when making decisions of a strategic nature about how to exercise its functions, have regard to—
(a)the impact of those decisions on consumers in Scotland, and
(b)the desirability of reducing harm to consumers in Scotland.
(2)For the purpose of this section and sections 22 and 23, “relevant public authority” means a person with functions of a public nature who is specified (by name or description) in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.
(3)Regulations under subsection (2) may specify a person—
(a)in relation to the exercise of all of the person's functions, or
(b)in respect of the exercise of certain specified functions only.
(4)Before laying a draft of a Scottish statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (2) before the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.
(5)Where the Scottish Ministers propose to specify a person under subsection (2) who is not currently a relevant public authority, the persons consulted under subsection (4) must include the person whom they propose to specify.
Commencement Information
I1S. 21 in force at 1.4.2022 by S.S.I. 2021/464, reg. 2