FARFETCH
Consumer, competition, and sustainability
U.K.
DMCCA subscriptions regime brought forward
On 9 August, 2026, the Prime Minister's Office announced that the subscriptions regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) will come into force in January 2027.
The government will pursue a ban on retailers making misleading discount claims, including price inflation followed by immediate "discounts" and "discounts" that match pre-discount prices.
A consultation launching in autumn 2026 will consider adding fake "was" prices, invented discounts, and misleading RRPs to practices banned under the DMCCA, automatically treating them as unfair.
New subscription rules taking effect in January 2027 will require clearer upfront information, regular reminders, easier cancellation, and a 14-day cooling-off period after a trial or long-term contract renewal, excluding certain cultural and heritage charitable memberships.
U.K.
CMA opens three investigations into drip pricing
On August 19, 2026, the CMA published three consumer protection investigations into whether Trainline, Virgin Atlantic, and RED Driving School failed to show consumers the total price upfront for train and coach tickets, package holidays, or driving lessons.
The CMA is examining Trainline’s upfront display of mandatory fees on its app and website, including transaction fees of GBP0.59 to GBP2.79 and a GBP1.50 coach booking fee.
The CMA is examining whether Virgin Atlantic included mandatory resort fees and local taxes in upfront package holiday prices, which can add hundreds of pounds, and whether RED Driving School included a mandatory booking fee and “digital” fee of GBP7+ per booking.
The firms previously received advisory letters under the CMA's new enforcement powers. The CMA has not yet reached a conclusion, but infringements could lead to compensation orders and fines of up to 10% of global turnover, and there is no statutory deadline for investigations under the DMCCA.
These investigations form part of the CMA’s wider work to help ease cost of living pressures for consumers.
EU
Packaging and packaging waste: Regulation (EU) 2025/40 now in force
On August 12, 2026, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, which is known as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and PPWR, entered into force across the EU.
The PPWR amends Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance and compliance of products and Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, and it repeals Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.
The EC also published calls for evidence on three acts intended to make recycled-content requirements for plastic packaging workable, verifiable, and enforceable across the EU.
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