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In the past, Monopoly investigations and reports
such as those featured on this page were carried out under the Fair
Trading Act 1973. Now that the
Enterprise Act 2002 is in place, it
is envisaged that, responsibility for enforcing undertakings and
orders, and the power to release, vary or supersede undertakings or
orders, will be transferred from the Secretary of State to the
Competition
Commission.
Supply of Extended Warranties on
Domestic Electrical Goods
The
Government's Order
-
The Supply of Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods
Order 2005 - which implement the
remedies recommended in the 2003
Competition Commission Report
on the supply of extended warranties (EW) on domestic electrical
goods came into force on 6 April 2005.
Further
information
Supply of Prescription
Only Veterinary Medicines
The Competition Commission
report on the supply of prescription-only veterinary
medicines was published in April 2003.
The DTI has now published a
public consultation on the draft Statutory Instrument which
will be used to implement the Commission’s proposed
remedies. Closing date for comments is 13 May 2005.
Further information
Supermarkets
The Competition Commission report
on the supply of groceries to multiple stores was published on 10
October 2000. The Director General of Fair Trading was asked to
agree a code of practice governing supermarkets’ relations with
their suppliers. The Secretary of State announced on 31 October 2001
that she had asked the Director General to seek undertakings from
the four main supermarket chains to comply with the Code. On 18
December 2001, the supermarkets gave undertakings to comply with
code.
The OFT published an initial review
of the Code on 20 February 2004. The OFT concluded that there was no
firm evidence that supermarkets had been breaching the Code. So far
there have been no formal complaints under the Code. However, 80 to
85 per cent of suppliers surveyed said that the Code had brought no
change in their relationship with the supermarkets and 73 per cent
of respondents reported that there was a fear in the industry of
complaining. In order to gather more evidence, OFT will undertake a
compliance audit from the supermarkets, which will look at supply
agreements across a range of sectors and range of suppliers.
Summary
of the Competition Commission report
DTI
press release10/10/00 (publication of report)
DTI
press release 31/10/01 (Code of Practice)
DTI
press release18/12/01 (Supermarkets give undertakings on
code of practice)
Supermarkets
code of practice (18/12/01)
OFT publishes review of Code of Practice – press notice
OFT review of Code of Practice
Supply
of Banking Services by Clearing Banks to SMEs
The Competition Commission
report on the supply of banking services by clearing banks
to small and medium sized enterprises was published on 14
March 2002. It had been referred to the Competition
Commission on 20 March 2000, and delivered to Ministers on
19 October 2001.
July 2002 - Big Four
Banks agree to Competition Commission remedies for Small and
Medium Size Enterprises
October 2002 – Eight
main clearing banks agree to Competition Commission remedies
for Small and Medium Size Enterprises
October 2003 - Main
eight clearing banks agree to undertakings to ease switching
of accounts
Revocation
Of The
Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Dental Goods) Order 1951
The Office of
Fair Trading has reviewed the
Monopolies and
Restrictive Practices (Dental Goods) Order 1951 as a part of its programme of reviews of Orders and
undertakings.
The OFT have
found that the trade association named as acting against the public
interest in the report on dental goods is now the British Dental
Trade Association. The one company named in the 1950 report as
acting against the public interest was dissolved in 1996. The OFT
believe that the practices which the Order addresses, as far as it
has anti-competitive objects or effects, is now likely to be subject
to the Competition Act 1998 which deals adequately with them.
MMC Report on Supply of Dental Goods
 Notice
Under S91(2) Fair Trading Act 1973.
Draft
Statutory Instrument.
Revocation
Of The
Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Imported Hardwood and Softwood
Timber) Order 1960
The Office of
Fair Trading has reviewed the
Monopolies and
Restrictive Practices (Imported Hardwood and Softwood Timber) Order
1960 as a
part of its programme of reviews of Orders and undertakings.
The OFT have
found that The OFT have found that the main timber trade body from
the time, the Timber Trade Federation (TTF), still exists but others
from that time have either been dissolved or amalgamated with the
TTF. The OFT believe that the practices which the Order addresses,
as far as it has anti-competitive objects or effects, is now likely
to be subject to the Competition Act 1998 which deals adequately
with them.
MMC Report on Supply of Imported Timber
Notice
Under S91(2) Fair Trading Act 1973.
Draft
Statutory Instrument.
Revocation
Of The
Restriction on Agreements (Estate Agents) Order 1970
The Office of
Fair Trading has reviewed the
Restriction on
Agreements (Estate Agents) Order 1970as a part of its programme of reviews of Orders and
undertakings.
In 2004 the
OFT completed a market study of estate agents in England and Wales.
The study concluded that overall there are no structural competition
problems in this market (although price competition seemed weak).
The study did not find agreements or arrangements between estate
agents that restrict charges. The OFT believe that the practices
which the Order addresses, as far as they have anti-competitive
objects or effects, are now likely to be subject to the Competition
Act 1998 and/or the cartel provisions in Part 6 of the Enterprise
Act 2002.
MMC Report on certain services by Estate Agents
Notice
Under S91(2) Fair Trading Act 1973.
Draft
Statutory Instrument.
Revocation Of The Restriction On
Conduct (Specialist Advertising Services) Order 1988
The Office of Fair Trading has
reviewed the Restriction on Conduct (Specialist Advertising
Services) Order 1988 as a part of its programme of reviews of Orders
and undertakings. Since the Order was made in 1988, the market
structure has changed considerably and the OFT have recommended that
the Order be revoked. The DTI is seeking representations on this
advice from those who have an interest, in particular the relevant
trade organisations.
MMC Report on Specialised Advertising Services
Notice
Under S91(2) Fair Trading Act 1973.
Draft
Statutory Instrument.
Revocation of The Restrictions on
Agreements (Manufacturers and Importers of Motor Cars) Order 1982
The Office of Fair
Trading has reviewed the Restriction on Agreements
(Manufacturers and Importers of Motor Cars) Order 1982 as a
part of its programme of reviews of Orders and undertakings.
Since the Order was made in 1982, EU competition law has now
superseded the provisions of the Order and the OFT will
apply the relevant EC Competition Regulation. The DTI is now
consulting on the OFT recommendation that the Order be
revoked.
MMC Report on Supply of Car Parts 1983.
Notice
Under S91(2) Fair Trading Act 1973.
Draft
Statutory Instrument.
 Please
click the button to view our Fact Sheet and FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions) on the EC Block Exemption for
Cars.
Revocation of The Films
(Exclusivity Agreements) Order 1989
The Office of Fair Trading
has reviewed the Films (Exclusivity Agreements) Order 1989
as a part of its programme of reviews of Orders and
undertakings. Since the Order was made in 1989, the market
structure has changed considerably and the OFT have
recommended that the Order be revoked. The DTI is seeking
representations on this advice from those who have an
interest, in particular the relevant trade organisations.
MMC Report on Supply of Films 1983.
Notice
Under S91(2) Fair Trading Act 1973.
Draft
Statutory Instrument.
Information on the Beer
Orders is on a separate page.
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