Part 3Enforcement of consumer protection law
Chapter 4Direct enforcement powers of CMA
Undertakings
185Undertakings
(1)
This section applies where the CMA—
(a)
has started an investigation under section 180 which is continuing, and
(b)
has not given a final infringement notice or an online interface notice in relation to the matter under investigation.
(2)
The CMA may accept an undertaking under this section in connection with that matter from any person whom the CMA believes—
(a)
has engaged, is engaging or is likely to engage in a commercial practice that constitutes a relevant infringement (“the infringing practice”), or
(b)
is an accessory to such a practice.
(3)
Subsections (1) to (6) of section 164 (inclusion of enhanced consumer measures in undertakings) apply to an undertaking under this section as they apply to an undertaking under section 163(2).
(4)
An undertaking under this section is an undertaking to do one or more of the following—
(a)
in the case of an undertaking from a person within subsection (2)(a), not to continue or repeat the infringing practice (where the CMA believes the person has engaged or is engaging in the practice);
(b)
in the case of an undertaking from a person within subsection (2)(b), not to consent to or connive in the infringing practice;
(c)
in either case, not to engage in the infringing practice in the course of the person’s business or another business;
(d)
in either case, not to consent to, or connive in, the carrying out of the infringing practice by a body corporate with which the person has a special relationship (see section 220).
(5)
Where the CMA has accepted from a person an undertaking under this section—
(a)
the CMA may accept from the person any such variation of the undertaking that the CMA considers appropriate for meeting the purposes for which the undertaking was given;
(b)
the CMA may release the person from the undertaking (whether on its own initiative or at the person’s request) if the CMA considers that the undertaking is no longer necessary to further those purposes.
(6)
The powers of the CMA under this section do not limit other powers of the CMA to accept, vary or release undertakings under Chapter 3.