Guidance

How the CMA uses its direct consumer enforcement powers

How the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) uses its direct enforcement powers to investigate and decide upon suspected breaches of consumer law.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
28 August 2025

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How the CMA uses its direct consumer enforcement powers

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This guide sets out what you can expect to happen if we investigate you for a suspected breach of consumer law. 

It covers:  

  • what to expect when we open an investigation 

  • how we will gather information from you 

  • how you will find out what we’ve decided, including penalties 

  • what happens after our decision 

  • how you can offer to settle or propose undertakings 

 This guide is a summary of our direct consumer enforcement guidance (CMA200). Read the full guidance for more information about how the CMA exercises its direct consumer enforcement powers.

Find out how the CMA gathers information to enforce consumer law.

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Published 28 August 2025

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