At the end of that transition period, on 1 January 2021, the
CMA is expected to take on responsibility for larger and more
complex merger, cartel and competition enforcement cases that
were previously reserved to the European Commission.
During the transition period, the CMA will continue working
as it always has and will not take on new or additional
responsibilities until the transition period ends.
The CMA has today published guidance to explain
how it will conduct its work during the transition
period as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU.
The CMA will continue the extensive preparations it has had
in place since the referendum result in June 2016 to ensure
it is ready for its enhanced role from January 2021, along
with the opportunities and challenges this important time
will bring.
Throughout the transition period, the CMA will continue
working closely with the Government and key stakeholders to
ensure it is in a strong position to conduct the larger and
often more complex merger, cartel and competition
investigations previously undertaken by the European
Commission.
The CMA will also continue working productively with the
European Commission and other competition authorities to
ensure a smooth transition that protects people across the
UK, by ensuring that competitive markets work in their
favour.
It is for the Government to decide how any new UK subsidy
control or state aid rules will operate in the future,
including whether the CMA has a role to play in a new regime.
Andrea Coscelli, CMA Chief Executive, said:
“The year ahead will be one of profound change for the
country. The CMA has been planning extensively for the UK’s
departure from the EU, and we are ready to assume our new
responsibilities at the end of the transition period.
“As we take on a more active role in global cases from
January 2021, we are determined to be a robust champion for
competition and for UK consumers.”
