Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Enterprise Act 2002

Changes to legislation:

Enterprise Act 2002, Section 168 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 08 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 168:

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

168 Regulated marketsU.K.
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)Subsection (2) applies where the [F1CMA] or the Secretary of State is considering for the purposes of this Part whether relevant action would be reasonable and practicable for the purpose of remedying, mitigating or preventing an adverse effect on competition or any detrimental effect on customers so far as resulting from such an effect.

(2)The [F1CMA] or (as the case may be) the Secretary of State shall, in deciding whether such action would be reasonable and practicable, have regard to the relevant statutory functions of the sectoral regulator concerned.

(3)In this section “relevant action” means—

(a)[F2modifying the conditions of a licence granted under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12);]

F3(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under section 7 [F4or 7A][F4, 7A [F5, 7AA, 7AB or 7AC]] of the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44);

(d)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under section 6 of the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29);

(e)modifying networking arrangements (within the meaning given by [F6section 290 of the Communications Act 2003]);

(f)modifying the conditions of a company’s appointment under Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56);

[F7(ff)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under Chapter 1A of Part 2 of the Act of 1991 or modifying the terms and conditions of an agreement under section 66D [F8or 117E] of that Act;]

(g)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under article 10 of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (S.I. 1992/231 (N.I. 1));

(h)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under section 8 of the Railways Act 1993 (c. 43);

[F9(hh)modifying the conditions of a SNRP issued pursuant to the Railways Infrastructure (Access, Management and Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005;]

(i)modifying an access agreement (within the meaning given by section 83(1) of the Act of 1993) or a franchise agreement (within the meaning given by section 23(3) of that Act);

(j)modifying conditions in force under Part 4 of the Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/426 (N.I. 1)) other than any conditions imposed or modified in pursuance of article 40(3) or (4) of that Order;

(k)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under article 8 of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/275 (N.I. 2));

F10(l). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(m)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under section 5 of the Transport Act 2000 (c. 38);

[F11(n)modifying the conditions of a company's appointment under Chapter I of Part III of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006;]

[F12(o)modifying regulatory conditions imposed under Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011;]

[F13(p)modifying the conditions of a licence issued under section 87 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012;]

[F14(q)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Civil Aviation Act 2012][F15; or

(r)modifying the conditions of a licence granted under section 7 of the Energy Act 2023.]

(4)In this section “relevant statutory functions” means—

(a)[F16in relation to any licence granted under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, the duties and obligations of the Director General of Telecommunications imposed on him by or in pursuance of any enactment or other provision mentioned in section 7(5)(a) of that Act;]

F17(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)in relation to any licence granted under section 7 [F18or 7A][F18, 7A [F19, 7AA, 7AB or 7AC]] of the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44), the objectives and duties of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority under section 4AA and 4AB(2) of that Act;

(d)in relation to any licence granted under section 6 of the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29), the objectives and duties of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority under section 3A and 3B(2) of that Act;

[F20(e)in relation to any networking arrangements (within the meaning given by section 290 of the Communications Act 2003), the duty of the Office of Communications under subsection (1) of section 3 of that Act to secure the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(c) of that section;]

(f)in relation to a company’s appointment under Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), the duties of [F21the Water Services Regulation Authority] under section 2 of that Act;

[F22(ff)in relation to a licence granted under Chapter 1A of Part 2 of the Act of 1991 or an agreement under section 66D [F23or 117E] of that Act, the duties of the Authority under section 2 of that Act or under that section and section 66D [F23or 117E] of that Act (as the case may be);]

(g)in relation to any licence granted under article 10 of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (S.I. 1992/231 (N.I. 1)), the duty of the Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland under article 6 of that Order;

(h)in relation to any licence granted under section 8 of the Railways Act 1993 (c. 43) [F24where none of the conditions of the licence relate to consumer protection], the duties of the [F25Office of Rail and Road] under section 4 of that Act;

[F26(hh)in relation to a SNRP issued pursuant to the Railways Infrastructure (Access, Management and Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 where none of the conditions of the SNRP relate to consumer protection, the duties of the Department for Regional Development under regulation 36 of those Regulations;]

(i)[F27in relation to any licence granted under section 8 of the Act of 1993 where one or more than one condition of the licence relates to consumer protection, the duties of the [F28Office of Rail Regulation] under section 4 of that Act and the duties of the Strategic Rail Authority under section 207 of the Transport Act 2000 (c. 38);]

(j)in relation to any access agreement (within the meaning given by section 83(1) of the Act of 1993), the duties of the [F25Office of Rail and Road] under section 4 of the Act of 1993;

(k)in relation to any franchise agreement (within the meaning given by section 23(3) of the Act of 1993), the duties of the [F29Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers and the National Assembly for Wales under section 4 of the Act of 1993];

(l)in relation to conditions in force under Part 4 of the Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/426 (N.I. 1)) other than any conditions imposed or modified in pursuance of article 40(3) or (4) of that Order, the duties of the Civil Aviation Authority under article 30(2) and (3) of that Order;

(m)in relation to any licence granted under article 8 of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/275 (N.I. 2)), the duties of the Director General of Gas for Northern Ireland under article 5 of that Order;

F30(n). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(o)in relation to any licence granted under section 5 of the Transport Act 2000, the duties of the Civil Aviation Authority under section 87 of that Act;

[F31(p)in relation to a company's appointment under Chapter I of Part III of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, the duties of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation under Article 6 of that Order];

[F32(q)in relation to regulatory conditions imposed under Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011, the duty of the Office of Communications under section 29 of that Act;]

[F33(r)in relation to any licence issued under section 87 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the duties of Monitor under sections 62 and 66 of that Act;]

[F34(s)in relation to a licence granted under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Civil Aviation Act 2012, the duties of the Civil Aviation Authority under section 1 of that Act][F35, and

(t)in relation to a licence granted under section 7 of the Energy Act 2023, the objectives and duties of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority under section 1 of that Act].

(5)In this section “sectoral regulator” means—

(a)the Civil Aviation Authority;

[F36(b)the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation.]

(d)[F37the Director General of Telecommunications;]

(e)the Water Services Regulation Authority;

(f)the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority;

[F38(g)the Office of Communications;]

F39(h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(i)the [F25Office of Rail and Road]; F40. . .

[F41(ia)Monitor;]

[F42(j)the Secretary of State;

(k)the Scottish Ministers; or

(l)the National Assembly for Wales][F43 or

(k)the Department for Regional Development.]

(6)Subsection (7) applies where the [F44CMA] or the Secretary of State is considering for the purposes of this Part whether modifying the conditions of a licence granted under section 7 [F45or 7A][F45, 7A [F46, 7AA, 7AB or 7AC]] of the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44) [F47, section 6] of the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29) [F48or section 7 of the Energy Act 2023] would be reasonable and practicable for the purpose of remedying, mitigating or preventing an adverse effect on competition or any detrimental effect on customers so far as resulting from such an effect.

(7)The [F44CMA] or (as the case may be) the Secretary of State may, in deciding whether modifying the conditions of such a licence would be reasonable and practicable, have regard to those matters to which the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority may have regard by virtue of section 4AA(4) of the Act of 1986 or (as the case may be) section 3A(4) of the Act of 1989.

(8)The Secretary of State may by order modify subsection (3), (4), (5), (6) or (7).

(9)Part 2 of Schedule 9 (which makes provision for functions under this Part to be exercisable by various sectoral regulators) shall have effect.

Textual Amendments

F2S. 168(3)(a) repealed (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 389(1), 411(2)(3), Sch. 19(1) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18 and Sch. 19 Note 1); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), 3(1), Sch. 1 (with arts. 3-6 (as amended (8.12.2003) by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1) (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)

F6Words in s. 168(3)(e) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(1), 411(2)(3), Sch. 17 para. 174(5)(a) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1) (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)

F8Words in s. 168(3)(ff) inserted (1.4.2017) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 129(2); S.I. 2017/462, art. 3(k)(xxiv)

F15S. 168(3)(r) and preceding word inserted (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(3)(a), Sch. 5 para. 8(2)(b)

F16S. 168(4)(a) repealed (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(7), 411(2)(3), Sch. 19(1) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18 and Sch. 19 Note 1); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), 3(1), Sch. 1 (with arts. 3-6 (as amended (8.12.2003) by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1) (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)

F20S. 168(4)(e) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(1), 411(2)(3), Sch. 17 para. 174(5)(b) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1) (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)

F21Words in s. 168(4)(f) substituted (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 101(1), 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 36(3)(a); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 4(f)

F23Words in s. 168(4)(ff) inserted (1.4.2017) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 129(3); S.I. 2017/462, art. 3(k)(xxiv)

F29Words in s. 168(4)(k) substituted (E.W.S.) (24.7.2005 for certain purposes and 16.10.2005 otherwise) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 59, 60, Sch. 12 para. 18(2)(c); S.I. 2005/1909, art. 2, Sch.; S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F35S. 168(4)(t) and preceding word inserted (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(3)(a), Sch. 5 para. 8(3)(b)

F37S. 168(5)(d) repealed (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(7), 411(2)(3), Sch. 19(1) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18 and Sch. 19 Note 1); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), 3(1), Sch. 1 (with arts. 3-6 (as amended (8.12.2003) by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1) (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)

F38S. 168(5)(g) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(1), 411(2)(3), Sch. 17 para. 174(5)(c) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1) (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)

F40Word in s. 168(5)(i) repealed (16.10.2005 for E.W.S) and omitted (3.1.2006 for N.I.) by virtue of Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 59, 60, Sch. 13 Pt. 1; S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(1), Sch. 1; S.R. 2005/537, reg. 45, Sch. 5 Pt. 1 para. 4(c)

F42S. 168(5)(j)-(l) substituted (E.W.S.) (24.7.2005 for certain purposes and 16.10.2005 otherwise) for s. 168(5)(j) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 59, 60, Sch. 12 para. 18(3); S.I. 2005/1909, art. 2, Sch.; S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F47Words in s. 168(6) substituted (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(3)(a), Sch. 5 para. 8(4)(a)

F48Words in s. 168(6) inserted (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(3)(a), Sch. 5 para. 8(4)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 168: power to amend conferred (24.5.2024) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 138(2)-(7), 339(2)(c)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: