UK market investigations

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In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has the power to investigate markets to review how competition is working (or not) in a UK market or broader sector—even where there is no evidence of an infringement of UK competition law. In other words, these market reviews are not normally used by the CMA to deal with allegations that a company has breached competition law (though they may lead to possible breaches being uncovered) but rather to look at broader structural concerns.

This sub-topic contains detail on the processes for market studies and market investigations carried out by the CMA (and sectoral regulators).

Background and legal basis

The UK's market investigation powers originally formed part of monopoly reference provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. These powers were retained even after the introduction of the Competition Act 1998 on the grounds that they permitted market-wide investigations by the then Competition Commission. However, these powers were ultimately subsumed within the Enterprise Act 2002 (EA 2002) with s131(1) (as amended by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013) providing the CMA the power

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Latest Competition News

UK Competition law—daily round-up (13/03/2026)

A round-up of UK competition law developments, including the CAT makes collective proceedings order granting Vicki Shotbolt permission to commence collective damages action against Valve.

EU Competition law—daily round-up (13/03/2026)

A round-up of EU competition law developments, including (amongst other things) the Commission publishes evaluation study to inform revision of Aviation State Aid Guidelines.

Competition weekly highlights—12 March 2026

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CAT issues judgment refusing extension of time in Aramark challenge to CMA prohibition of merger, (2) Constellation Developments Limited/ABVR Holding Limited cleared after phase 2; failing firm defence accepted, (3) the CMA launches slot release procedure under Atlantic Joint Business Agreement commitments, (4) the Court of Appeal issues judgment dismissing appeal in proposed collective action against water companies, (5) the Court of Appeal issues judgment refusing permission to appeal CAT confidentiality ring disclosure order, (6) the CAT granting partial strike out in Gutmann collection action against Apple over ‘battery throttling’, (7) the CMA publishes its response to the Government’s consultation on refining the UK competition regime, and (8) the CMA launches market study into UK private dentistry sector.

EU Competition law—daily round-up (12/03/2026)

A round-up of EU competition law developments, including (amongst other things) (1) AG considers Latvian municipality not an ‘undertaking’ under Article 102 TFEU when organising in-house waste management, (2) AG issues opinion concerning national reference from Italy on binding effect and scope of Euribor cartel findings under Article 101 TFEU, (3) AG issues opinions in JP Morgan and Crédit Agricole appeals in Euro Interest Rate Derivatives cartel case, and (4) AG’s issues opinion suggesting dismissal of Silgan appeal concerning Commission competence in German metal packaging cartel.

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