UK Knowledge Collection | Timeline for consumer and competition law changes, new sanctions enforcement body, and public procurement

The government has set out further details about the expected timeline for the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. The competition and digital markets aspects of the new regime are intended to commence in December/January, with the consumer elements anticipated to follow fairly swiftly. This month's Regulatory Outlook covers the progress of the consumer law changes and the implementation of the competition rules.

The government has laid the foundational regulations before Parliament to establish the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation statutory powers, and enable it to launch next month. Our Insight explores the implications for businesses' compliance processes.

This month has seen a number of developments affecting public procurement. The new public procurement regime has been delayed to February 2025, so the government can rewrite the National Procurement Policy Statement. A private members' bill to regulate the use of algorithms and automatic decision-making in public sector processes has been introduced to Parliament. Our Insight looks at the wider significance of the bill and at what companies hoping to sell such systems to public bodies should consider. And our webinar next week offers top tips for bidders on the importance of social value and net zero in public procurements.

Recent Insights

Regulatory Outlook

Our monthly update reports on 17 areas of regulatory developments in the UK business compliance landscape, including data law, ESG and consumer law.
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House of Lords sets the tone on regulation of automated decision-making in the UK public sector

Companies hoping to sell AI systems to public authorities should monitor the progress of a new private members' bill introduced in the House of Lords to help regulate the use of algorithms and automation in public sector decision-making processes.
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UK Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation to have October launch

The new enforcement body's powers will require firms across several sectors – including financial services and the legal profession – to review and update their compliance processes to avoid the risk of significant adverse penalties.
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What is the UK government's approach to the development challenges for data centres?

A consultation launched by the government in July on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework closed this week. It raises questions as to how the government's energy strategy aligns with its increased digital infrastructure ambitions.
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What are the advantages of using arbitration to resolve international infrastructure project disputes?

Arbitration offers parties a flexible, neutral and confidential process to resolve international infrastructure project disputes – with important differences between commercial and investment treaty arbitration.
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Upcoming Events

Eating Compliance for Breakfast | Net zero and social value in public procurement

3 October | 09:00-09:30
An insight into the importance of social value and net zero in the context of a public procurement, including top tips for bidders and practical real-world examples.
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AI and Digital Regulation Brussels Forum | Charting your course: EU digital regulation in the era of the AI Act

9 October | Brussels | 09:00-13:00
Our in-person inaugural forum in Brussels on AI and digital regulation gathers legal and regulatory leaders to discuss opportunities and risks around the implementation and enforcement of European digital regulation, including the new AI Act. Kai Zenner, of the OECD's Network of Experts, the World Economic Forum and policy advisor to the European Parliament, is our keynote speaker.
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Eating Compliance for Breakfast | Conducting cross-border investigations

10 October | 09:00-09:30
Our global investigations team discusses best practice when navigating the complexities and nuances of cross-border and multi-jurisdictional investigations.
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Dipping into Data autumn series | ICO Data Protection Practitioners' Conference

17 October | 16:00-16:30
In this webinar, our experts will consider the main takeaways from the UK privacy regulator's annual conference (held on 8 October) and the practical implications for business.
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Life Sciences Academy | Navigating regulatory and IP challenges in European M&A

29 October | 16:00-17:00
This webinar examines the structure of a typical acquisition of target companies in the life sciences sector in Europe, including the impact of regulatory and IP issues on the process and timing.
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