Consumer Products - retail

Recent Articles

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  17/04/2024

  England and Wales

  AI-driven enforcement comes of age in UK with AI systems reshaping advertising and regulation and enforcement – ASA’s 2023 Annual Report

  The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published its 2023 annual report, describing 2023 as a watershed year for its digital strategy.Together, the ASA and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) secured the amendment or withdrawal of 27,378 ads in 2023, a remarkable 92% of which resulting from proactive work largely powered by the ASA’s Active Ad Monitoring System. In December 2022, the ASA ran 20,000 ads through the system, which rose to over 600,000 ads per month by the end of 2023. This system forms a key part of the ASA’s 2024 to 2028 strategy on AI-assisted...

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  15/04/2024

  England and Wales

  Marks and Spencer secures quashing of Secretary of State’s decision to refuse planning permission

  The recent judgment of the High Court in Marks & Spencer Plc v Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities [2024] EWHC 452 (Admin) has received a lot of attention given its implications for the repurposing and reuse of existing buildings. The case concerned proposals by Marks & Spencer (“M&S”) to demolish their existing store on Oxford Street, London and to replace it with a nine-storey mixed use office and retail store, including a restaurant and a gym.The case was brought by M&S against the Secretary of State (“SoS”) following his decision...

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  08/04/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary proposes ex-ante competition tool to regulate essential companies

  On 2 April 2024, the Hungarian Ministry of Justice submitted an omnibus act to the Hungarian parliament proposing the amendment of several Hungarian laws, including the Competition Act. This Proposal’s most noteworthy element is – based on the German example – expanding the Hungarian Competition Authority’s (HCA) toolbox by introducing a new ex-ante regime enabling the HCA to impose obligations on certain companies without first having to demonstrate a violation of the law.This following article summarises the Proposal’s new rules, potential consequences and next steps.PROPOSED...

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  03/04/2024

  Ukraine

  Register of Damage for Ukraine is open for claims submission

  On 2 April 2024, the Register of Damage for Ukraine opened the claims submission process for compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. The launch took place as part of the Ministerial Conference "Restoring Justice for Ukraine" co-hosted by the Netherlands, Ukraine and the European Commission at the World Forum in The Hague.As a reminder, the official website of the Register of Damage for Ukraine was launched on 4 March 2024. The website contains the following:documents governing the work of the Register;answers to frequently asked questions on the Register’s...

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  21/03/2024

  United Kingdom

  Proposed UK consumer legislation now clamps down on drip pricing and fake reviews

  The draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the “DMCC Bill”) has recently been amended (on 13 March 2024) following the Report stage in the House of Lords to include measures that prohibit drip pricing and address fake and misleading reviews. The 3rd reading in the House of Lords will take place from 26 March 2024. The updated DMCC Bill now includes prohibitions on drip pricing, a practice that involves adding unavoidable hidden fees to the advertised price of a product or service. As the Government notes, drip pricing can mean consumers are ‘baited’...

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  19/03/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary adopts new regulations on occupational Safety and Health fines and administration

  The Hungarian parliament recently adopted amendments to certain government regulations on occupational matters, and new government regulations on the detailed rules for the amount and imposition of occupational safety and health (OSH) fines, which entered into force on 1 March 2024. The amendments to the government regulations were necessary to ensure consistency between the legislation.The following article summarises these changes.1. Government Decree No 24/2024 (II.14.) amending certain Government Decrees on employmentAmendment to Government Decree No. 320/2014 (XII.13.) on the designation of...

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