A New Approach to Consumer Protection: What it Means for Businesses and Consumers in Northern Ireland
Cost: Free
Since April 2025, landmark new consumer protection provisions have come into force under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) the power to deliver more effective consumer protection. The new regime helps safeguard consumer interests while enhancing trust—supporting consumer spending and the adoption of new products and services across the economy. The regime applies to companies both large and small and fosters a level playing field for fair-dealing businesses—allowing them to grow and invest with confidence while ensuring that competitors cannot gain an unfair advantage by breaking the law.
The CMA’s Senior Director for Consumer Protection, Hayley Fletcher, will provide a keynote address which will cover:
- the CMA’s approach to the new consumer protection regime
- the changes to unfair commercial practices, including an explicit ban on the posting and commissioning of fake reviews, and updates to the law on pricing information businesses must show to customers
- next steps, including further guidance and opportunities for engagement.
The presentation will be followed by an opportunity to pose questions to Hayley and Damien Doherty, Chief Inspector, Trading Standards Service in Northern Ireland, about what these changes mean for businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland.
Who should attend:
Businesses, consumer groups, legal professionals, trading standards officers, policy advisers, and anyone interested in what the new regime means.
