CMA proposes scrapping 27 market rules after strategic review
By William Fletcher MBE, Chief Executive Officer, New Reg Limited
The Competition and Markets Authority has proposed removing or amending 27 existing market remedies, including measures tied to road fuel, following a strategic review of how markets have changed.
The Competition and Markets Authority is proposing to remove or amend 27 market remedies in part or in full, a move that reflects how significantly some markets, including road fuel, have shifted since those measures were first put in place.
The CMA's strategic review concluded that certain remedies may no longer serve their original purpose, either because the market itself has changed, because regulation has moved on, or because consumers now behave differently. Rather than maintain rules that have become redundant or disproportionate, the authority wants to clear them from the books.
For drivers, the road fuel element of this proposal is the most relevant part. Fuel pricing and the rules governing how retailers and suppliers operate in that market have been subject to CMA scrutiny for some time, and any relaxation of existing obligations could have an effect on how transparently prices are presented and how competitive the market remains. The CMA has not yet confirmed a final decision, so the proposals are still at the consultation stage.
Motor trade businesses will also be watching closely, since changes to market remedies can alter the compliance landscape for dealers, fleet operators and anyone buying or selling vehicles at scale. Trade-only platforms such as Trader.co.uk, where verified motor businesses buy and sell used vehicles, operate within a market shaped in part by these regulatory frameworks, so any shift in the CMA's approach is worth monitoring for those active in the wholesale vehicle sector.