This Act matters when businesses buy or sell goods and the contract does not answer every issue. It can affect title, delivery, quality, rejection, risk and remedies. B2B sellers should make sure their terms deal clearly with specifications, acceptance, delivery risk and limitation of liability.
Main laws
United Kingdom Act
Sale of Goods Act 1979
The Sale of Goods Act 1979 remains important for UK goods contracts, especially business-to-business sales.
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
- This Act matters when businesses buy or sell goods and the contract does not answer every issue.
- It can affect title, delivery, quality, rejection, risk and remedies.
Likely relevant if
- Manufacturers and wholesalers
- B2B ecommerce sellers
- Suppliers selling equipment or inventory
Check first
- Set clear specifications, delivery and acceptance terms
- Deal with title, risk and retention-of-title clauses
- Align warranties and remedies with the commercial deal
What this means in practice
Key points
- Delivery and acceptance records often decide goods disputes.
- Retention-of-title wording should be reviewed with insolvency risk in mind.
- B2B terms should not rely on consumer-law wording by accident.
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
- Manufacturers and wholesalers
- B2B ecommerce sellers
- Suppliers selling equipment or inventory
- Businesses buying goods on supplier terms
What to check first
Sense check
- Set clear specifications, delivery and acceptance terms
- Deal with title, risk and retention-of-title clauses
- Align warranties and remedies with the commercial deal
- Keep inspection, delivery and complaint records
Documents and workflows to review
Key points
- Supply terms
- Purchase order terms
- Delivery notes
- Warranty wording
- Retention-of-title clause