Part 3

Mergers
Chapter 5

Supplementary

Investigation powers

Statement of policy
116
1
The CMA must prepare and publish a statement of policy in relation to—
a
the imposition of penalties under section 110, and
b
the enforcement of notices under section 109.
2
The statement shall, in particular, include a statement about the considerations relevant to the determination of the nature and amount of any penalty imposed under section 110(1) or (1A).
3
The CMA may revise its statement of policy and, where it does so, it shall publish the revised statement.
4
The CMA shall consult the Secretary of State and such other persons as it considers appropriate when preparing or revising its statement of policy.
5
A statement or revised statement of policy may not be published under this section without the approval of the Secretary of State.
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1986 c. 31, s. 44B(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 14(3)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1992/231 (N.I. 1), art. 15B(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 28(3)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1991 c. 56, s. 14B(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 25(5)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 12; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1990 c. 42, Sch. 4 para. 4A(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 24(9)(e)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1989 c. 29, s. 56CB(1)(5)(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 20(12)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 10; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1989 c. 29, s. 14A(11F)(11I)(11J) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 20(6)(a)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1989 c. 29, s. 12B(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 20(4)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1986 c. 44, s. 41EB(1)(5)(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 15(12)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 8; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1986 c. 44, s. 26A(11F)(11I)(11J) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 15(6)(a)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1986 c. 44, s. 24B(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 15(4)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1984 c. 12, s. 13B(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 13(4)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 38, s. 18(6)(10)(11) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 44(5)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 38, s. 12B(1)(5)(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 44(3)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 26, s. 19A(6)(10)(11) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 42(4)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 26, s. 15B (1)(5)(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 42(2)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1996/275 (N.I. 2), art. 15B(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 36(3)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1994/426 (N.I. 1), art. 35B(1)(4)(5) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 33(3)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8))
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, Sch. 4A para. 10A(1)(5)(6) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 30(15)(a)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 22; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, s. 15C(2D)(2H)(2I) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 30(6)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 19; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, s. 13B(1)(5)(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 30(4)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 18; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 8, Sch. 14 para. 2A(1)(5)(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 40(20)(b)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
S. 116 applied (20.6.2003) by 1980 c. 21, s. 11B(1) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 10(3)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 2; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))cbv
S. 116 applied (1.10.2005) by 1991 c. 56, s. 17M(1) (as inserted by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 56, 105(3), Sch. 4 para. 2); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(h) (with Sch. para. 5); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 14; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (1.10.2005) by 1991 c. 56, s. 17Q(6) (as inserted by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 56, 105(3), Sch. 4 para. 2); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(h) (with Sch. para. 5); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 15; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (S.) (11.11.2005) by The Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3172), arts. 5, 10(3)-(7) (as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 38-39; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (N.I.) (1.4.2007) by The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3336 (N.I. 21)), arts. 1(2)(3), 23(1)(h), 27(6)(h) (with arts. 8(9), 121, 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with Sch. 2) (as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 paras. 41, 42; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Protection of Legitimate Interests) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1592), art. 15, Sch. 3 para. 1(1)(v) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Protection of Legitimate Interests) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/891), arts. 1, 18(1)-(17) (with arts. 20-23))
S. 116 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1999/3088, reg. 8 (as substituted by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Consequential and Supplemental Provisions) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1398), art. 2, Sch. para. 36(3))
S. 116 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (2.3.2004) by The Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 20003 (S.I. 2003/419 (N.I. 6)), arts. 39(2), 40(2), Sch. 2 para. 5; S.R. 2004/71, art. 2, Sch. (as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 36; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
S. 116 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (2.3.2004) by S.I. 1992/231 (N.I. 1), art. 17A(14)(h)(17)(18) (as inserted by The Energy (Northern Ireland) Order (S.I. 2003/419 (N.I. 6)), art. 36(2); S.R. 2004/71, art. 2, Sch.)
S. 116 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (2.3.2004) by S.I. 1996/275 (N.I. 2), art. 17A(17)(h)(20)(21) (as inserted by The Energy (Northern Ireland) Order (S.I. 2003/419 (N.I. 6)), art. 37(2); S.R. 2004/71, art. 2, Sch.)
S. 116 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2004) by 1991 c. 56, s. 16B(6)(a)-(10) (as inserted by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 55(4), 105(3); S.I. 2004/2528, art. 2(h) (with art. 4, Sch.); as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 13; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
Pt. 3 (ss. 22-130) modified (20.6.2003) by 1998 c. 41, Sch. 7 para. 20(3) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 185, 279, {Sch. 11 para. 11(2)-(4)(8)}; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)
Pt. 3 excluded in part (29.9.2008) by The Bradford & Bingley plc Transfer of Securities and Property etc. Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2546), arts. 1(2), 40
S. 116 applied (15.1.2012) by The Postal Services (Appeals to the Competition Commission) (Investigations and Extension of Time Limits) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2749), arts. 1, 3(h) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/549), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 45(3) (with art. 3); and (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 44; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))
Pt. 3 modified (1.7.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 79, 306(4); S.I. 2012/1319, art. 2(3)
S. 116 applied (with modifications) (1.11.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(2)(4), Sch. 10 para. 10(1)(h)(2)(11)(12); S.I. 2012/2657, art. 2(2)
Pt. 3 modified (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 4 para. 56; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(c) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 116(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 150 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 116(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 150 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Pt. 3 modified (31.12.2020) by The Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/93), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 paras. 28-33; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 3 excluded (28.6.2022) by 1992 c. 13, s. 56A(9B) (as inserted (E.W.) by Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 (c. 21), ss. 23(2)(f), 36(2))
Pt. 3 excluded (28.6.2022) by 1992 c. 13, s. 56E(9B) (as inserted (E.W.) by Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 (c. 21), ss. 23(3)(f), 36(2))
Pt. 3 modified (1.7.2022) by 2006 c. 41, s. 72A (as inserted by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 83(1), 186(6); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30))
Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (29.12.2004) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), Sch. 4ZA paras. 1, 2 (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 70(2), 279, Sch. 6); S.I. 2004/3233, art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions and savings in arts. 3-5)
Pt. 3 (ss. 22-130) applied (1.10.2005) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), s. 17M(4) (as inserted by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 56, 105(3), Sch. 4 para. 2); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(h) (with Sch. para. 5)
Pt. 3 applied (1.10.2005) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), s. 17Q(9) (as inserted by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 56, 105(3), Sch. 4 para. 2); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(h) (with Sch. para. 5)
Pt. 3 applied in part (N.I.) (1.4.2007) by The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3336 (N.I. 21)), arts. 1(2)(3), 23(4), 27(9); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with Sch. 2)
Pt. 3 modified (E.W.) (29.12.2004) by The Water Mergers (Modification of Enactments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3202), regs. 2-35 (as amended (1.4.2014) by S.I. 2014/549, art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 22 (with art. 3); (18.12.2015) by S.I. 2015/1936, regs. 1, 3-20; (6.12.2023) by S.I. 2023/1185, arts. 1(2), 9-27); and (23.8.2024) by S.I. 2024/840, regs. 1(1), 3-7; and (1.1.2025) by S.I. 2024/1234, regs. 1(1), 3-10 (with reg. 11))
S. 116(5) inserted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 10 para. 22(5); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(14) (with Sch. paras. 14(1)(2), 20)
S. 116(1) substituted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 10 para. 22(2); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(14) (with Sch. paras. 14(1)(2), 20)
Words in s. 116(4) substituted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 10 para. 22(4); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(14) (with Sch. paras. 14(1)(2), 20)
Word in s. 116(2) substituted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 10 para. 22(3); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(14) (with Sch. paras. 14(1)(2), 20)