Market studies - further information
The OFT actively investigates markets that do not appear to be meeting the needs of consumers and publishes the results. Some studies will be in response to super-complaints, a route for designated consumer bodies to bring complaints to the attention of the OFT.
What is involved in the studies?
Market studies involve an analysis of a particular market, or practices across a range of goods and services, with the aim of identifying and addressing any aspects of market failure from competition issues to consumer detriment and the effect of government regulations. Possible outcomes of market studies include:
- improving the quality and accessibility of information for consumers
- encouraging businesses in the market to self-regulate
- making recommendations to Government to change regulations or public policy
- taking competition or consumer enforcement action
- making a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission
- a clean bill of health.
We carried out a consultation on the guidance for market studies in 2009. See the consultation document and summary of responses on the Market studies guidance consultation page.
Download Market Studies Guidance June 2010 (pdf 586kb).
Read our policy note Practice on consultation on proposed decisions in relation to market investigation references (OFT1308) (pdf 243kb) which applies to decisions on the outcomes of some market studies.
Download form to submit ideas for market studies (word file 38 kb)
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