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New mandatory wording requirements for warranties against defects
Businesses that supply customers with services (or goods and services together) that come with warranties against defects need to be aware of the recent amendments to the Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010 (Cth). From 9 June 2019, these businesses must include mandatory wording in their warranty documents.
ACCC's first half of 2019 in review
It has been a busy year so far for the ACCC, with a large number of proceedings filed, merger clearance decisions made, and judgments handed down by the Court on competition and consumer law actions.
A new era for merger control in Australia
From 1 January 2026, businesses will be required to notify the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of certain acquisitions that meet prescribed thresholds and must not complete those transactions without prior ACCC approval.
Philip Aitken
Partner
Related expertise: Corporate governance, Mergers and acquisitions, Regulatory and compliance, Startups and scaleups
Warning to all businesses: unfair contract laws enforced
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken waste management company JJ Richards & Sons (JJ Richards) to court for breach of the small business unfair contract laws that came into effect in November 2016. This is the first legal action that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has commenced to enforce the new laws. This eBulletin looks at what small businesses can learn from this first enforcement from the ACCC.
Living in Digital Harmony: Immutable Blockchains and the Right to be Forgotten
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recommended reforms to Australia's privacy legislative framework which include the introduction of an erasure right, analogous to the GDPR's 'right to be forgotten'.
Penalties under the ACL skyrocket - Insurers who provide cover for fines and penalties now exposed to increased risk
From 1 September 2018, the maximum penalty able to be ordered by a Court for a breach of the Australian Consumer Law has significantly increased. According to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims, the government regulator may now secure fines of more than $1 billion for breaches of the consumer protection legislation. In this update, we examine the changes to the legislation and the potential implications for insurers who provide cover for fines and penalties.
Non-compete clauses and other restraints of trade in the spotlight pending ACCC review
Restraints of trade have recently been in the spotlight with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) undertaking a review of non-compete and non-solicitation clauses in employment contracts.
Artificial intelligence regulation under the watchful eye of Digital Platform Regulators' Forum
The Digital Platform Regulators' Forum has prepared a joint submission to government acknowledging the potential for artificial intelligence to enhance Australia's digital economy but also to compromise consumer protection, competition, privacy and online safety, as well as the work of Australia's regulatory bodies.
ACCC announces enforcement priorities for 2019
At his annual CEDA address on 26 February 2019, ACCC Chair Rod Sims launched the 2019 Compliance and Enforcement Policy announcing the ACCC's key focus areas for the year.
The consumer data right regime is here - what do you need to know?
In an effort to improve consumers’ ability to compare and switch between products and services, and to drive competitiveness and innovation between service providers, a new consumer data right (CDR) has been introduced.