You can also view our Consumer Trends hub 2024!
Our contents this week:
Retail, Food & Hospitality updates
Competition and Markets Authority set out plan for consumer enforcement: The Competition and Markets Authority has published a guide setting out its plans for use of its new powers which it received under the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 from 6th April. Under the Act the CMA has the power to determine if unfair commercial practices rules have been breached and to impose penalties. The CMA has set addressing aggressive selling practices, unfair contract terms, hidden fees and drip pricing as its enforcement priorities for year one.The CMA’s approach to direct consumer protection >Press release >DBT-CMA joint statement on consumer protection >
Consultation on relaxation of packaged travel regulations for staycations: The Department for Business and Trade has launched a consultation on reform of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (PTRs) which restrict the extent to which service providers can collaborate to meet travellers needs. The aim is to disapply the Regulations within the UK domestic market. Responses are required by 30th June 2025. News >Consultation >
Consultation launched on environmental permitting regulations: DEFRA have launched a consultation on plans to make the environmental permitting system more agile and responsive primarily by increasing the use of exemptions as recommended in the independent review by Dan Corry. The intention is to enable the Environment Agency and National Resources Wales to make decisions proportionate to the level of environmental risk on which activities should be exempt from environmental permits. Responses are required by 3rd June. View >
Cabinet Office require Government Departments to justify all Quango’s: The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has written to departments to justify every quango otherwise they’ll be closed, merged, or have powers brought back into the department. The review will consider four key principles:
- Ministerial policy oversight- if a policy is of national importance then Ministers should have appropriate oversight and control of its development. Major decisions that affect the country and the public should be taken by those elected by the country to do so.
- Duplication and Efficiency- government should drive out duplication and inefficiency wherever possible, this includes if there is duplication of policy or delivery work between ALBs and Ministerial departments.
- Stakeholder Management- the fact that government needs to engage stakeholders should not be a reason for an ALB to exist, government itself should be working hard to engage with a variety of partners at every stage.
- Independent Advice- where there is a clear justification for independent advice, then this should be conducted at arms length.
EU updates
EU Institutions reach agreement on Toys Safety Regulation: The new rules cover new harmful chemical products. The regulation expands the ban on carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction chemicals (CMRs) to include other hazardous substances like endocrine disruptors. The agreement forbids skin sensitisers and toys treated with biocidal products (except for toys intended to be always kept outdoors). The agreement also limits the use of preservatives and prohibits the use of fragrance allergens in toys intended for use by children under the age of three or in other toys intended to be placed in the mouth of children. The text also introduces a limited ban on the intentional use of PFAS in toys (with exemptions for toy components necessary for electronic or electric functions of the toy where the substance or mixture is fully inaccessible to children). The text clarifies requirements for online marketplaces, which will have to design their platforms so as to allow sellers to display the CE mark, safety warnings, and a link (such as a QR code) to the digital product passport, to be visible before the purchase is completed. Changes have also been introduced to align the agreed text with other legislation, such as the General Product Safety Regulation, the Ecodesign framework and the Digital Services Act. All toys sold in the EU will have to bear a clearly visible digital product passport (DPP) showing compliance with the relevant safety rules. The DPP will enhance the traceability of toys and make market surveillance and customs checks simpler and more efficient. It will also offer consumers easy access to safety information and warnings, e.g. via a QR code. The agreement establishes a transition period of 4,5 years to enable the industry to implement the new requirements effectively. Press release > News >BEUCEuropean Commission >
EU Commission launch consultation on digital product passports: The aim of the Digital Product Passport under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation 2024 is to store and share relevant data about a product's sustainability, durability and other environmental aspects. The Digital Product Passport will be available to consumers, businesses and relevant public authorities. The Digital Product Passport could also host additional information, for instance product instructions or conformity documents. The consultation explores how data should be stored and managed by service providers and whether they should be subject to a certification system. View >
EU Regulations:
- On specifications for cellulose based food additives:View >
- On novel foods: partially defatted rapeseed powder >Schizochytrium sp.oil >Vitamin D2 mushroom powder >
- On feed additives: Indigo carmine >
Developments to watch
DEFRA: Publish update on Avian flu epidemic – 12th April. View >
DEFRA: Publish assessment and update on European Foot and Mouth cases – 12th April.View >
DEFRA: Appoint Minette Batters, former NFU chair to undertake profitability review of farms.View > View >
For your information
Non-food product safety alerts: Office for Product Safety and Standards >EU Safety Gate >US Consumer Product Safety Commission >
Re-Appointment: Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive, Financial Conduct Authority. View >
Ministry of Justice: Publish updated Criminal Practice rules and Directions. View >
US Government appointments:
Food and Drugs Administration, Commissioner. Martin Makary. View >
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Executive Director. Brien Lorenze. View >
