The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a summarised version of chapter 7 (powers of investigation) of its consumer protection: enforcement guidance (CMA58). This summarised guidance clarifies that the CMA can collect information before, during or even without formally opening an investigation. It outlines the legal mechanisms available to the CMA, including issuing written information notices, purchasing products, observing business conduct and entering premises with or without a warrant. These powers apply not only to businesses under investigation but also to third parties who may hold relevant information. The summarised guidance emphasises that being asked to provide information does not necessarily mean one is under formal investigation and it provides clear instructions on how to respond to information notices, including the types of documents and data that may be requested.

The Competition and Markets Authority has published guidance on the digital markets competition regime established by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The guidance, approved by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on 17 December 2024, outlines the CMA's approach to operating the new regime and takes effect from 1 January 2025. It provides advice for businesses, their advisers, and other stakeholders on the CMA's substantive and procedural approach. The CMA has also released separate guidance on merger reporting for firms designated as having Strategic Market Status under the Act.

TMT analysis: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a practical compliance guide (the Guidance) on environmental claims for fashion brands, applying the principles set out in its Green Claims Code (the Code), and has also advised 17 fashion brands to review their green claims in light of the guidance. This article by Nigel Parr, partner, Christopher Eberhardt, counsel, and Olivia Spong, associate, at Ashurst, summarises the key points arising from the guidance and potential implications for businesses both within and outside the fashion sector, including in relation to internal processes and supply chain engagement.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance on how to report suspected breaches of competition or consumer law, detailing the process and expectations for complainants. Complaints may concern anti-competitive conduct or consumer harm and should be submitted via the CMA’s online form, phone, or email. The CMA encourages well-reasoned complaints supported by clear evidence, outlining the nature of the alleged infringement, the parties involved, market impact, and potential remedies. Complainants are also advised to explain why the CMA should prioritise their case. While all complaints are acknowledged, only those with a realistic prospect of investigation receive further updates, typically within six weeks. The CMA commits to handling complaints objectively and efficiently, while seeking to protect the identity and confidentiality of complainants.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published new guidance to help businesses comply with the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, focusing on price transparency and obtaining express consent for additional online charges. The publications Unfair Commercial Practices: Price Transparency (CMA209) and Getting Consent for Additional Charges When Selling Online were issued following a consultation launched in July 2025, and the CMA has now published the outcome of that consultation. In addition, the CMA has updated its Unfair Commercial Practices Guidance (CMA207) to align with the new rules and ensure consistency across its consumer protection framework. Together, these updates provide a comprehensive approach to clarifying how traders must present prices and secure consumers’ active consent before charging for optional extras, strengthening protections for online shoppers and improving transparency in digital markets.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published an informal guidance providing more information to businesses on its open-door policy outlined in section 7 of the Green Agreements Guidance. The open-door policy is specifically for businesses who want to approach the CMA when they are at the early stages of the development of environmental sustainability agreements. The questions in the guide outline the information that the CMA would find useful to give a preliminary overview of the proposed agreement and help the CMA determine whether it is suitable for an assessment under the open-door policy.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published the full text of its phase 1 decision in relation to clearing the anticipated acquisition by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) of Olink Holding AB. TMO has agreed to acquire Olink by way of a purchase agreement for circa US$3.1bn. The Parties are both active in the supply of technologies that can be used in proteomics discovery and analysis. Proteomics is the study of the interactions, function, composition, and structures of proteins and their potential use for biomedical and clinical applications (eg the study of cancers or Alzheimer’s disease). Olink supplies high-plex assays, a technology that detects proteins by coupling an affinity reagent (eg, antibodies) to a reporter system for detection. Currently, there are two suppliers of high-plex assays—Olink and SomaLogic, Inc. with Alamar Biosciences Inc. recently announcing its entry into high-plex assays. The CMA found that the global supply of technologies used in discovery and translational proteomics research is dynamic with a variety of different players and there is limited overlap between the entities. The CMA invited comments on the merger in February and launched its merger inquiry 10 May 2024, clearing it 8 July 2024.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a letter written by its markets director, Colin Garland, to Barclays Bank UK Plc concerning the bank's breaches of Part 5 of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017, which compels banks to provide Payment Transaction Histories to customers closing their current accounts unless an exemption applies. The letter states that Barclays failed to supply Payment Transaction Histories on four separate occasions over a period of up to six years, affecting approximately 700,000 former customers. These breaches arose from issues such as errors in maintaining online access settings, system limitations during periods of high account closures, storage capacity problems, and incorrect address handling. Barclays self-reported these failures on 31 October 2024 and has since committed to rectifying the issues by the end of the third quarter of 2025, undertaking a full review of its processes with independent external oversight, and implementing mandatory training for relevant staff.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a notice of approval of certain changes and requirements for additional changes to the agreed timetable and project plan for the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017. The changes are relevant to Part 2 of the Order, which sets out the provisions relating to Open Banking.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published an open letter to domestic heating oil suppliers on the use of fair and transparent terms and conditions in consumer contracts. The letter follows a consumer protection review commenced in March 2026 in response to concerns arising from the conflict in the Middle East. The review found that some suppliers cancelled orders for hundreds of customers who ordered through an intermediary site when prices surged and supply was temporarily restricted, which may have resulted in breaches of contract. The letter reminds suppliers that consumer contract terms must be fair and transparent, particularly where they seek to remove or reduce liability for non-performance or delay.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published two policy papers examining competition in UK public procurement. The policy papers consider how government can use procurement to support growth, innovation and resilience, while protecting public spending from anti-competitive conduct.

The Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA)’s independent inquiry group has published provisional findings from its assessment of the UK cloud services market. The report indicates that competition in the £9bn market is not functioning optimally, likely resulting in higher costs, fewer choices, reduced innovation, and lower service quality for businesses and organisations across the economy. The report highlights that AWS and Microsoft are the two leading cloud service providers, each holding up to a 40% share of UK customer spend on cloud services. The inquiry group provisionally recommends that the CMA consider using its new powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA 2024) to designate AWS and Microsoft with strategic market status concerning their digital activities in cloud services. It will consult on these provisional findings before making a final decision by the statutory deadline of 4 August 2025.