The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced it might accept undertakings in lieu of reference in relation to anticipated acquisition by Theramex HQ UK Limited of the European Rights to Viatris’ Femoston and Duphaston Products. In May 2024, the CMA published the full text of its phase 1 referral decision in relation to the anticipated acquisition following the launch of its inquiry into the merger in February 2024.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a strategic market status (SMS) investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem, representing the fourth SMS investigation since the UK’s digital markets competition regime commenced in January 2025. The CMA will assess whether Microsoft holds SMS in the business software market and whether its market position could limit customer choice through practices such as product bundling, interoperability restrictions or default settings. As part of this assessment, the CMA will examine Microsoft’s provision of productivity software, personal computer (PC) and server operating systems, database management systems and security software used by UK organisations. The CMA has published an SMS investigation notice and invitation to comment, with responses due by 4 June 2026. It will conduct a public consultation before reaching a final decision. The investigation must be completed within 9 months, with a final designation decision expected by February 2027. An SMS designation would enable the CMA to consider interventions in relation to a key concern identified during its cloud market investigation, namely Microsoft’s software licensing practices, which were found to be limiting competition in the cloud services market.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a consultation regarding its investigation into whether Google holds Strategic Market Status (SMS) in the provision of general search and search advertising services. This inquiry is being conducted under Part 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act 2024. The CMA is seeking views from stakeholders to inform its assessment of Google's market position and potential designation as having SMS in these areas.This consultation closes at11:55pm on 3 February 2025.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on its draft guidance and rules to exercise the new direct enforcement powers provided to the CMA regarding consumer protection law under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. These proposed new powers will allow the CMA to investigate, determine and take enforcement action to address infringements of specific consumer protection laws and breaches of undertakings brought to the CMA. The consultation will close on 11 September 2024.

The Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on its draft guidance for the new digital markets competition regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA 2024). The new digital markets competition regime created by the DMCCA 2024 includes providing the CMA with the power to designate powerful digital firms with Strategic Market Status (SMS) in a digital activity and the power to impose three potential interventions to enhance greater competition and innovation. The CMA is now seeking views on how it will utilise its functions under the new regime and on two guidance documents which include guidance on the whole digital markets competition regime and guidance on the merger reporting requirements for firms designated as having SMS under that regime. The consultation will close on 12 July 2024.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a consultation on releasing Google from its Privacy Sandbox commitments following Google's April 2025 announcement abandoning plans to prompt Chrome users about third-party cookie blocking. The commitments, which ensured Google's Privacy Sandbox development didn't favour its own ad-tech services, are deemed no longer necessary by the CMA. The consultation closes on 4 July 2025. The CMA notes it retains intervention powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and Competition Act 1998 should future competition concerns arise.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a consultation on 14 March 2025 regarding its proposed recommendation to replace the Assimilated Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation with a new UK block exemption order. The consultation, running until 11 April 2025, follows a stakeholder input period that closed in September 2024. The current regulation, which automatically exempts certain technology transfer agreements from competition law restrictions, expires on 30 April 2026. The proposed changes aim to establish a UK-specific framework for exempting agreements involving industrial property rights transfers.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an initial information-gathering process regarding the anticipated acquisition of WorldPay Holdco LLC by Global Payments Inc. The CMA is currently assessing whether the transaction could result in a relevant merger situation under the Enterprise Act 2002 and whether it may lead to a substantial lessening of competition in UK markets. As part of this process, the CMA has issued an invitation to comment, open until 16 July 2025, to gather views from interested parties on the potential impact of the merger. A formal Phase 1 investigation has not yet commenced, and the statutory timetable will be updated in due course.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has set out its enforcement approach under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), indicating a strategic focus on early interventions and litigation in high-impact cases. The regulator has also stated it is prepared to take Ticketmaster to court if the company does not offer voluntary undertakings promptly.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has detailed its new enforcement powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024 (DMCC) regarding dynamic pricing practices. The CMA can now determine consumer law infringements and impose fines of up to 10% of global turnover. The guidance clarifies that while dynamic pricing is not prohibited, businesses must provide material information for informed consumer decisions, display total prices in invitations to purchase, and maintain price consistency during checkout processes. The CMA has published accompanying practical guidance for businesses implementing dynamic pricing strategies to ensure compliance with these requirements.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a speech by its interim Executive Director for Competition Enforcement, Juliette Enser, outlining the agency's strategic approach to competition enforcement as the UK nears the 25th anniversary of the Competition Act 1998.Enser emphasises three key strategic aims: driving growth through competition, deterring anti-competitive conduct and keeping markets contestable.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced plans to update its 2015 guidance (CMA37) on unfair terms and notices under Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA). The current guidance, which replaced earlier materials under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, explains how fairness and transparency tests apply to consumer contracts and notices.