Consumer Protection Code

About the Regulations

The Consumer Protection Code 2025 is set out in two Central Bank regulations: 

• Central Bank Reform Act 2010 (Section 17A) (Standards for Business) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 80 of 2025) (the Standards for Business Regulations).
• Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48) (Consumer Protection) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 81 of 2025) (the Consumer Protection Regulations). 
• Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48) (Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. No. 111 of 2026) (the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2026).  

The Standards for Business Regulations set out governance, resource and risk management requirements for firms.

They also set out conduct standards for firms. These are complemented by Supporting Standards for Business, which provide further detail on firms’ obligations. The Standards for Business and Supporting Standards for Business addressing securing customers' interests and financial abuse, only apply to firms when doing business with individuals and small businesses. All other Standards for Business and Supporting Standards for Business apply to the regulated business of firms conducted with all customers.

The Consumer Protection Regulations set out cross-sectoral requirements applying across all sectors, and other sector specific requirements applying to the provision of Consumer Banking, Credit and Arrears, Insurance and Investments.

These requirements apply to the regulated business of firms conducted with customers who meet the definition of “consumer” i.e. individuals and small businesses. These regulations also consolidate a number of existing conduct regulations and codes, issued by the Central Bank, into one set of regulations.

The Consumer Protection Regulations (Part 6) revoke (a) Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48) (Licensed Moneylenders) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 196 of 2020); and (b) Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48(1)) (Insurance Requirements) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 126 of 2022). The Consumer Protection Code 2012 and the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears have been revoked with effect from 23 March 2026 – see revocations linked below. 

Revocation of Consumer Protection Code 2012 (PDF 298.54KB)

Revocation of CCMA  (PDF 270.36KB)

Amendments

There has been one amendment to the Consumer Protection Regulations since they were published. The Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48) (Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. No. 111 of 2026) (the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2026) came into effect on 25 March 2026. A set of miscellaneous amendments were required to address a limited number of clarifications and corrections identified following the publication of the Consumer Protection Regulations. The amendments have been included in the html version of the regulations. 

As required by section 50(A)(1) of the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (the 2013 Act), the Central Bank has published an assessment of the costs and benefits of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2026 which can be viewed at the following link: 

An assessment of the costs and benefits of the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48) (Consumer Protection) (Amendment) Regulations 2026  (PDF 467.89KB)

Table of Amendments (PDF 66.76KB)