Part 1

THE CONSUMER ADVOCACY BODIES

Powers of investigation

Reference of postal matters to OFCOM
15
1
A consumer advocacy body must refer any complaint within section 11(1)(a), or to which section 12(3) applies, to the Office of Communications (“OFCOM”) if that consumer advocacy body considers that—
a
the subject matter of the complaint indicates that a regulatory condition imposed under Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011 has been contravened,
b
the subject matter of the complaint is a referable matter, or
c
it is appropriate to do so.
2
The consumer advocacy bodies and OFCOM must, from time to time, agree the descriptions of matters which are to be referred to OFCOM and, for the purposes of subsection (1)(b), a matter is a “referable matter” if it is of a description for the time being so agreed.
S. 15 in force at 1.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/2550 , art. 2 , Sch.
S. 15 heading substituted (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5) , s. 93(2) (3) , Sch. 12 para. 177(2) ; S.I. 2011/2329 , art. 3
Words in s. 15(1) substituted (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5) , s. 93(2) (3) , Sch. 12 para. 177(3)(a) ; S.I. 2011/2329 , art. 3
Words in s. 15(1)(a) substituted (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5) , s. 93(2) (3) , Sch. 12 para. 177(3)(b) ; S.I. 2011/2329 , art. 3
Word in s. 15(2) substituted (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5) , s. 93(2) (3) , Sch. 12 para. 177(4) ; S.I. 2011/2329 , art. 3
Words in s. 15(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(19)(a)(i) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
Words in s. 15(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(19)(a)(ii) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
Words in s. 15(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(19)(b) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
Pt. 1 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(2) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
Pt. 1: power to apply (with modifications) conferred (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(l), Sch. 18 para. 61(1)
Pt. 1: power to extend (N.I.) conferred (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(l), Sch. 18 para. 61(3)
Pt. 1 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2025 for specified purposes) by The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/269), regs. 1(3)(d)(4), 54