Your FAQs answered: A quick guide to the DMCCA

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) introduces significant changes to consumer law, which aim to strengthen consumer rights and enhance consumer protection law.

The DMCCA is particularly relevant for businesses that promote and sell products to consumers, especially if online.

David Wozniak, associate in our commercial team, answers some of the frequently asked questions about this new legislation:

1. What is the DMCCA? 

The DMCCA received royal assent on 24 May 2024. It introduces a new regime for consumer law that encourages fair competition, better protection for consumers, and addresses the growing dominance of digital platforms.

2. When did the new consumer rules under DMCCA come into effect? 

The new consumer rules under the DMCCA came into effect from 6 April 2025 (which include the CMA’s enforcement powers). The new regime for subscription contracts, contained in Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the DMCCA, is anticipated to come into force in spring 2026.

3. What does the DMCCA do? 

The DMCCA revokes the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPUTRs) and replaces them with similar (but enhanced) provisions.

These enhanced provisions relate to fake and misleading consumer reviews, drip pricing and subscription contracts.

4. How does the DMCCA affect subscription contracts? 

Businesses are required to provide consumers with:

• clear contract renewal and re-contracting information,
• contract renewal reminders before auto-renewals, and;
• clear cancellation rights.

These provisions are anticipated to come into force in spring 2026.

5. How does the DMCCA affect unfair commercial practices? 

The DMCCA amends and expands the list of banned unfair commercial practices in the CPUTRs (which set out how providers of goods or services should conduct themselves in dealings with their customers).

6. What does the DMCCA mean for the CMA?  

The CMA can decide whether key consumer laws have been broken rather than requiring court intervention. If the CMA determines that a consumer law has been breached, impose significant fines and other sanctions, without going to court.

7. If you are a business owner, what should you be doing? 

It is important to check that you comply with the unfair commercial practices provisions in the DMCCA and, in particular, the new provisions on drip pricing, pricing transparency, fake reviews and subscription contracts.

In addition, you should be proactively assessing and adapting your commercial practices to mitigate non-compliance risks, maintain consumer trust and avoid any reputational harm.

To discuss anything covered in this article, or on consumer law in general, contact David Wozniak using 0191 211 7831 or [email protected].