Tough new shopping rules this week could make it 'harder to buy'

New 'friction' will be added to the process when you payNeil Shaw Assistant Editor06:16, 14 Jul 2026Buy now pay later (BNPL) customers will have to undergo new affordability checks under stronger protections coming into force from Wednesday. From July 15, the sector comes under the regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and lenders will need to be authorised by the regulator to provide BNPL products.‌BNPL firms will also be subject to the Consumer Duty, which requires financial firms to put customers at the heart of what they do, and which is overseen by the FCA. A spokesperson for the FCA said: “Buy now pay later can be a form of credit, but people deserve to be protected when using it.‌“Lenders should check their customers can afford to pay it back.”‌The spokesperson said mi