CMA locks in water-specific rules for references

Ahead of the PR24 final determinations this week, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has adopted new rules and guidance that are specific to water references made under Section 12 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

These replace the current rules, which apply to a range of matters, including merger reference, market reference and special reference groups. The new arrangements take learnings from the PR19 cases, and include updates on matters including the appointment and conduct of case panels, timetables and procedures.

The CMA said respondents to its August-September consultation broadly supported the development of new rules and guidance for water references. Among the things clarified on the back of the consultation is that the new rules will apply to all types of water references.