Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013

Market studies and decisions whether to make a reference under section 131 U.K.

1 U.K. Before section 131 of the 2002 Act (power to make market investigation references) insert—

“Market studies U.K.

130A Duty to publish market study notice

(1) Where the CMA is proposing to carry out its functions under section 5 in relation to a matter for the purposes mentioned in subsection (2), the CMA must publish a notice under this section (referred to in this Part as a “market study notice”).

(2) The purposes are—

(a) to consider the extent to which a matter in relation to the acquisition or supply of goods or services of one or more than one description in the United Kingdom has or may have effects adverse to the interests of consumers; and

(b) to assess the extent to which steps can and should be taken to remedy, mitigate or prevent any such adverse effects.

(3) A market study notice shall, in particular, specify—

(a) the matter in relation to which the CMA is proposing to carry out its functions under section 5;

(b) the period during which representations may be made to the CMA in relation to the matter; and

(c) the dates by which the CMA is required to comply with the requirements imposed on it by sections 131A and 131B.”

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 12 para. 1 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

2 U.K. After section 131 of that Act insert—

“131A Decisions about references under section 131: consultation

(1) This section applies to a case where the CMA has published a market study notice and—

(a) the CMA is proposing to make a reference under section 131 in relation to the matter specified in the notice; or

(b) a representation has been made to the CMA within the period specified in the notice under section 130A(3)(b) to the effect that such a reference should be made but the CMA is proposing not to make such a reference.

(2) The CMA shall—

(a) publish notice of the proposal concerned; and

(b) consult the relevant persons about the proposal, in such manner as it considers practicable, before deciding whether to make a reference.

(3) The CMA may, for the purposes of subsection (1), ignore any representation which it considers to be frivolous or vexatious.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (2), a person is a “relevant person” if the CMA considers that its decision whether to make a reference is likely to have a substantial impact on the person's interests.

(5) In consulting a person for the purposes of this section, the CMA shall, so far as practicable, give its reasons for the proposal.

(6) In considering what is practicable for the purposes of this section, the CMA shall, in particular, have regard to—

(a) the restrictions imposed by the time-table for making the decision (see section 131B); and

(b) any need to keep what is proposed, or the reasons for it, confidential.

131B Market studies and the making of decisions to refer: time-limits

(1) Where the CMA has published a market study notice in a case to which section 131A applies, the CMA shall, within the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which it publishes the notice—

(a) publish the notice under section 131A(2)(a); and

(b) begin the process of consultation under section 131A(2)(b) (but the CMA need not complete the process within that period).

(2) Subsection (3) applies where—

(a) the CMA has published a market study notice;

(b) no representation has been made to the CMA within the period specified in the notice under section 130A(3)(b) to the effect that a reference under section 131 should be made in relation to the matter specified in the notice; and

(c) the CMA has decided not to make such a reference.

(3) The CMA shall, within the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which it publishes the market study notice, publish notice of the decision not to make a reference.

(4) Where the CMA has published a market study notice it shall, within the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which it publishes the notice, prepare and publish a report (referred to in this Part as a “market study report”) which sets out—

(a) the findings of the CMA in relation to the matter specified in the notice; and

(b) the action (if any) which the CMA proposes to take in relation to the matter.

(5) In a case to which section 131A applies, the market study report shall, in particular, contain—

(a) the decision of the CMA to make a reference under section 131 in relation to the matter specified in the market study notice, the decision to accept an undertaking under section 154 instead of making such a reference or (as the case may be) the decision otherwise not to make such a reference;

(b) the CMA's reasons for the decision; and

(c) such information as the CMA considers appropriate for facilitating a proper understanding of its reasons for the decision.

(6) Where a market study report contains a decision of the CMA to make a reference under section 131 in relation to a matter, the CMA shall, at the same time as it publishes the report, make the reference.

(7) This section is subject to section 140A (duty of Secretary of State to refer in public interest intervention cases).

131C Time-limits under section 131B: supplementary

(1) The Secretary of State may by order amend section 131B so as to alter one or more of the following periods—

(a) the period of 6 months mentioned in subsection (1) or (3) or any period for the time being mentioned in either of those subsections in substitution for that period;

(b) the period of 12 months mentioned in subsection (4) or any period for the time being there mentioned in substitution for that period.

(2) But no alteration may be made by virtue of subsection (1) which results in—

(a) the period for the time being mentioned in subsection (1) or (3) exceeding 6 months; or

(b) the period for the time being mentioned in subsection (4) exceeding 12 months.

(3) Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State shall consult the CMA and such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.”

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 12 para. 2 partly in force; sch. 12 para. 2 in force for specified purposes at Royal Assent, see s.103(1)(i)

I3 Sch. 12 para. 2 in force at 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)