The Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) Order 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

The Secretary of State has the power to designate any body that appears to her to represent the interests of consumers and satisfies the other criteria published by her(1) as a designated consumer body for the purpose of submitting a “super-complaint” under section 11 of the Enterprise Act 2002. This Order designates the Consumers' Association, the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and the National Consumer Council as designated consumer bodies for this purpose.

A designated consumer body may submit a “super-complaint” where it considers that there is any market feature in the United Kingdom, or combination of features, such as the structure of a market or the conduct of those operating within it, that is or appears to be significantly harming the interests of consumers. Where such a complaint is made to the Office of Fair Trading or one of the sectoral regulators specified in the Enterprise Act 2002 (Super-complaints to Regulators) Order 2003(2), the relevant regulator will be obliged to publish a response to such a complaint within a maximum of 90 calendar days stating how it proposes to deal with the complaint and the reasons for the proposals.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.

(1)

Published on the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk on 31st March 2003.

(2)

S.I. 2003/1368.