The Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 (Prohibition on Disposal of a Body without Authorisation) Amendment Regulations 2024: business and regulatory impact assessment

11 Consumer Assessment

• Does the policy affect the quality, availability or price of any goods or services in a market?

As set out above, this will improve access for bereaved individuals in particular circumstances. Without making the amendments, they could face additional funeral director expenses for respectful storage of the deceased.

• Does the policy affect the essential services market, such as energy or water?

No

• Does the policy involve storage or increased use of consumer data?

No – while the regulations make additions to the documentation that can be accepted for a burial or cremation to proceed, they do not change the kind of amount of personal data that will be collected.

• Does the policy increase opportunities for unscrupulous suppliers to target consumers?

No

• Does the policy impact the information available to consumers on either goods or services, or their rights in relation to these?

Yes. As noted above, in certain circumstances, the measures will allow burials or cremation to go ahead where otherwise they could not.

• Does the policy affect routes for consumers to seek advice or raise complaints on consumer issues?

No