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Articles by Melanie Shefford
Inside the EU’s planned Digital Fairness Act
Photo: Wachiwit/Getty Images For any business selling to European consumers online, everyday commercial decisions may soon be subject to new rules from Brussels. Following a review of whether EU consumer law remains fit for the digital environment, the European Commission is preparing updated legislation.
Inside the EU’s planned Digital Fairness Act: digital design, subscription traps, and influencer marketing
For any business selling to European consumers online, everyday commercial decisions may soon be subject to new rules from Brussels. Following a review of whether EU consumer law remains fit for the digital environment, the European Commission is preparing updated legislation. A draft of the long-awaited Digital Fairness Act is expected on 11 November 2026, and it could bring new requirements for online interface design, subscriptions and influencer marketing.
The DMCC Act: Consumer elements come into force from 6 April 2025
After much anticipation, it is now confirmed that next month the landmark consumer law provisions of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (“DMCC Act”) will come into force, following the enactment of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/272) ( “Regulations”). What provisions are coming into force? Unfair commercial practices regime: out with the old, in with the new?
Recommerce Reads - Second-hand doesn’t mean second best: consumer rights in pre-loved goods
13/06/2024 Online second-hand retail is booming, driven by increasingly eco and cost-conscious consumers choosing to shop “second-hand first” for clothes, homewares, electronics, and toys. The second-hand fashion market, in particular, has grown by nearly 50% according... Read more
The DMCC Act becomes law
24/05/2024 The long-awaited Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (“DMCC”) Act is scheduled to receive royal assent today (24 May 2024), in the wash-up period just before the dissolution of the current parliament and following the announcement of a snap UK general... Read more
Proposed UK consumer legislation now clamps down on drip pricing and fake reviews
21/03/2024 The draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the “DMCC Bill”) has recently been amended (on 13 March 2024) following the Report stage in the House of Lords to include measures that prohibit drip pricing and address fake and misleading reviews... Read more
Beauty box subscriptions: the makeover mandated by the new DMCC Bill
28/07/2023 Everyone loves a well-thought-out surprise. And many consumers feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of products available in the cosmetics industry. In steps the beauty box: a personalised, monthly assortment of skincare, makeup, haircare and beauty products... Read more
CMS Consumer & Retail Conference
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Consumer regulator given 10% fining powers under new consumer law Bill
25/04/2023 10% fining powers confirmed in newly unveiled consumer law Bill:Highly-anticipated proposals for new consumer laws have today (25 April 2023) been published in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill (the “Bill”).The Bill propels the UK’s consumer... Read more
Dark patterns remain firmly under the regulator’s spotlight
30/03/2023 This week the Competition and Markets Authority (the “CMA”) has continued to shine a light on dark patterns, publishing an open letter for online businesses regarding urgency and price reduction claims and an update to its ‘Online Rip-Off Tip-Off’ campaign... Read more
Webinar: Getting to grips with changes to consumer regulation
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Hot consumer law topics for 2023
15/02/2023 As we ease ourselves into 2023, there has been a recent flurry of activity at UK and EU level in relation to consumer protection law matters. Here is our round-up of the “hot” consumer law topics which consumer-facing businesses should keep an eye on over... Read more
Protect your consumers or pay the price: mega fines for breaches of consumer protection laws | Lexology
November 2019 saw the adoption of the Enforcement and Modernisation Directive which amends four existing consumer-facing European directives: the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, the Consumer Rights Directive, the Unfair Contract Terms Directive and the Price Indication Directive. Member states are required to implement national laws to comply with the Directive from 28 May 2022. What does the Directive say about fines?
New European rules for online platforms | Lexology
European Union
January 30 2020 A new Regulation, known as the Platform to Business Regulation or the Online Intermediation Services Regulation, will come into force on 12 July 2020. It applies to online intermediation service providers, namely online platforms which allow third party businesses users to offer goods or services to consumers (“OISPs”). These include online e-commerce marketplaces, online software application services (such as app stores), and online social media services.
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