Digital Markets Unit
A Digital Markets Unit (DMU) has been established within the CMA to begin work to operationalise the future pro-competition regime for digital markets.
The DMU will oversee a new regulatory regime for the most powerful digital firms, promoting greater competition and innovation in these markets and protecting consumers and businesses from unfair practices.
Powers for the DMU and for the new regulatory regime will require legislation. The Government has now published its consultation on proposals for the new pro-competition regime. The consultation will be open until 1 October 2021.
The Government has also committed to legislating when Parliamentary time allows.
Powers for the DMU and for the new regulatory regime will require legislation. The Government has committed to consulting on proposals for the new pro-competition regime in 2021 and to legislating when parliamentary time allows.
In the interim, the DMU has been established within the CMA, on a non-statutory basis to focus on operationalising and preparing for the new regime. The Government has recently published Terms of Reference setting out the role of the non-statutory DMU. The non-statutory DMU will focus on:
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Carrying out preparatory work to implement the statutory regime. The non-statutory DMU will work to maximise operational readiness for the DMU in time for the implementation of legislation. This will include building teams with the relevant capabilities and preparing draft guidance.
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Supporting and advising government on establishing the statutory regime. The non-statutory DMU will work closely with Government to provide key insights to inform decisions about the shape of the new pro-competition regime, building on the advice of the Digital Markets Taskforce.
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Evidence-gathering on digital markets. The CMA will continue to use its existing powers, where appropriate, to investigate harm to competition in digital markets. This will ultimately inform the work of the statutory Digital Markets Unit.
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Engaging stakeholders across industry, academia, other regulators and government. The non-statutory DMU will build close relationships with a range of stakeholders to ensure diverse insights underpin the new regime. In particular, it will work closely with regulators, both domestically through the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum, and internationally, to strengthen cooperation and promote greater coherence across regulatory approaches.
Read our blog: Digital markets and the new pro-competition regime
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Last updated 20 July 2021 + show all updates
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Government has now published its consultation on proposals for the new pro-competition regime.
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First published.