PDCOB 2.5 Restrictions on charging in relation to dashboard services
1Firms are reminded that the Dashboard Regulations require that view services must be provided without charge.
Prohibition on charging other than for permitted dashboard services
1A firm must not impose a charge on a customer for any service other than for a permitted dashboard service.
Prohibition on charging by other parties
1A firm must not permit any other person to charge in relation to any services on or from the firm’s pensions dashboard platform.
Prohibition on providing a service for which a charge is payable without active election
1A firm must not impose a charge on a customer for a permitted dashboard service, or enter into an agreement with a customer under which a charge is, or may become, payable for a permitted dashboard service, unless the customer has actively elected to receive that service and pay that charge.
1A firm must not invite or induce a customer to receive services for which a charge will be, or may become, payable if the firm knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that the services are not permitted dashboard services or that an active election to be charged is unlikely to be made.
Impact of auto-renewals on active election
1If, under the terms and conditions of a permitted dashboard service there is to be an automatic renewal of the agreement on substantially the same terms, it suffices for the purposes of PDCOB 2.5.4R if the customer actively elected to obtain the permitted dashboard service before entering into the initial agreement or a preceding renewal.
1An automatic renewal of the agreement is not to be regarded as being on substantially the same terms if, following the renewal, a charge, or a significant charge, will or may become payable for the permitted dashboard service for the first time (in which case, PDCOB 2.5.4R applies at the time of the renewal).
Meaning of ‘charge’
1Firms are reminded that a similar prohibition on opt-out selling of add-on products is imposed by the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/3134) in relation to additional payments under a contract where the main sale is not a financial service or product.