Part 3

Mergers
Chapter 4

Enforcement

Powers exercisable before references under section 22, 33, 68B or 68C

Effect of undertakings under section 73
74
1
The relevant authority shall not make a reference under section 22, 33 or 45 in relation to the creation of a relevant merger situation if—
a
the CMA has accepted an undertaking or group of undertakings under section 73(2); and
b
the relevant merger situation is the situation by reference to which the undertaking or group of undertakings was accepted.
1A
The relevant authority may not make a reference under section 45, 68B or 68C in relation to the creation of a relevant merger situation if—
a
the CMA has accepted an undertaking or group of undertakings under section 73(3B), and
b
the relevant merger situation is the situation by reference to which the undertaking or group of undertakings was accepted.
2
Subsections (1) and (1A) do not prevent the making of a reference if material facts about relevant arrangements or transactions, or relevant proposed arrangements or transactions, were not notified (whether in writing or otherwise) to the CMA or made public before any undertaking concerned was accepted.
3
For the purposes of subsection (2) arrangements or transactions, or proposed arrangements or transactions, are relevant if they are the ones in consequence of which the enterprises concerned ceased or may have ceased, or may cease, to be distinct enterprises.
4
In subsection (2) “made public” means so publicised as to be generally known or readily ascertainable.
5
In this section “relevant authority” means—
a
in relation to a possible reference under section 22 , 33, 68B or 68C, the CMA; and
b
in relation to a possible reference under section 45, the Secretary of State.
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
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)
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. 74(1)(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 114 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 74(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 114 (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))
Words in s. 74(5)(a) substituted (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(j), Sch. 16 para. 14(3)
Words in Pt. 3 Ch. 4 heading substituted (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(j), Sch. 16 para. 10
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)
S. 74(1A) inserted (24.7.2024) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(3), Sch. 6 para. 9(3)
Words in s. 74(1) substituted (24.7.2024) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(3), Sch. 6 para. 9(2)(a)
Words in s. 74(1)(a) substituted (24.7.2024) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(3), Sch. 6 para. 9(2)(b)
Words in s. 74(2) substituted (24.7.2024) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(3), Sch. 6 para. 9(4)
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))