United Kingdom: Dodd-Frank, Consumer Protection Act

The Competition and Markets Authority has imposed its first financial penalty under new direct enforcement powers, ordering the AA to refund over 80,000 learner drivers and pay a £4.2 million fine for drip pricing practice

AI Agents are transforming commerce by autonomously selecting goods, comparing prices, and initiating payments on behalf of consumers. This briefing explores the complex regulatory challenges and opportunities that agentic commerce presents for businesses, from contract formation and payment regulation to consumer protection and strategic partnerships.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority has exercised its new enforcement powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 for the first time, imposing a £4.2 million penalty on The AA for drip pricing practices.

HM Treasury (HMT) has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to the UK Appointed Representatives (AR) regime, building on its August 2025 policy statement.

The Payments Vision Delivery Committee has published the Payments Forward Plan, setting out its regulatory roadmap for the payments sector over the next three years.

From 15 July 2026, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) becomes regulated "Deferred Payment Credit" (DPC), with full FCA oversight of disclosures, creditworthiness checks, conduct standards...

As the name suggests, the 2030 Consumer Agenda is a strategic plan for EU consumer policy for the next five years.

In summer 2025, UK consumer protection and review organisation and research provider London Economics published a policy research report analysing the use of environmental claims on almost 10,000 products...

The risk posed by counterfeit goods and vehicle parts potentially impacts all those in the automotive industry including manufacturers, distributors and garage operators.