PECR is the law behind many marketing and cookie headaches. It affects email, SMS, calls, cookie banners and tracking technologies. A business can have a privacy policy and still breach PECR if its marketing consent or cookie setup is wrong.
Main laws
United Kingdom Regulation
Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003
PECR sets UK rules for electronic marketing, cookies and certain communications privacy issues.
In forceUnited KingdomPlain-English guide4 practical checks
Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Use the linked official source for section-level detail, and get advice for your situation.
Get legal helpStart here
Quick read
- PECR is the law behind many marketing and cookie headaches.
- It affects email, SMS, calls, cookie banners and tracking technologies.
Likely relevant if
- Businesses sending email or SMS marketing
- Websites using analytics, ads or tracking cookies
- Sales teams making marketing calls
Check first
- Get the right consent or soft opt-in for electronic marketing
- Identify the sender and include a working unsubscribe
- Use compliant cookie consent for non-essential cookies
What this means in practice
Key points
- Marketing lists need evidence, not just size.
- Cookie banners should match the scripts that actually load.
- Unsubscribes and suppression lists are compliance systems, not admin chores.
When this law usually matters
Most businesses do not need to memorise the whole law. The useful starting point is to know when it is likely to affect a contract, customer journey, employee process, data flow or company decision.
Key points
- Businesses sending email or SMS marketing
- Websites using analytics, ads or tracking cookies
- Sales teams making marketing calls
- SaaS and ecommerce businesses growing mailing lists
What to check first
Sense check
- Get the right consent or soft opt-in for electronic marketing
- Identify the sender and include a working unsubscribe
- Use compliant cookie consent for non-essential cookies
- Keep suppression and consent records
Documents and workflows to review
Key points
- Email sign-up forms
- Cookie banner
- Marketing consent records
- Unsubscribe process
- CRM suppression lists