Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the transitional provisions set out the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/284 (C. 21)) to extend the transitional period from 5th October 2026 to 7th January 2027. The Regulations commence on the day after the day on which they are made.

The reason for the extension of the transitional period is that it is proposed to amend the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) (Conferral of Functions) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/259) to permit the Civil Aviation Authority (“CAA”), which was created under the Civil Aviation Act 1971 (c. 75), to be appointed as competent authority, for the purposes of Alternative Dispute Resolution, in respect of those areas for which the Authority has regulatory responsibility or oversight under any enactment. The extra time will allow ADR providers in the aviation sector to make their applications to the CAA during the extended transitional period.

The impact assessments completed for the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, introduced to Parliament on 25th April 2023, contain an assessment of the effect that the reforms to the consumer regime will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector. They are available at: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3453/publications. Printed copies can be obtained from the Department for Business and Trade, Old Admiralty Building, Admiralty Place, London, SW1A 2DY.