The Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Designated Enforcers: Criteria for Designation, Designation of Public Bodies as Designated Enforcers and Transitional Provisions) Order 2003

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Criteria for designation
     3. The criteria that an applicant must satisfy in order that the Secretary of State may designate it as a designated enforcer under section 213(2) of the Act are as follows:

(a) the applicant is so constituted, managed and controlled as to be expected to act independently, impartially and with complete integrity and has established procedures to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest are properly dealt with;

(b) the applicant has demonstrated experience, competence and expertise in promoting or protecting the collective interests of consumers in respect of domestic infringements or Community infringements, including, where the applicant is a successor to any person or body which had such expertise, by reference to that person or body;

(c) the applicant has demonstrated the ability to protect the collective interests of consumers by promoting high standards of integrity and fair dealing in the conduct of business in relation to such consumers;

(d) the applicant has the capability to investigate infringements and carry out the enforcement procedures set out in Part 8 of the Act in respect of the types of infringement for which it seeks designation;

(e) the applicant is ready and willing to follow best practice in enforcement;

(f) the applicant is ready and willing to co-operate with the OFT and other general enforcers, designated enforcers and Community enforcers and any other person responsible for the regulation of matters in respect of which acts or omissions may constitute domestic or Community infringements including by:


(i) sharing information with such other enforcers and persons in so far as legally permitted; and

(ii) by participating in arrangements to co-ordinate action under Part 8 with other enforcers and persons acting or proposing to act in respect of the same person.

     4. An applicant shall not be regarded as failing to meet the criteria set out in article 3(a) above by reason only of a connection with a person carrying on business of a kind that could be affected, directly or indirectly, by action taken under Part 8 of the Act so long as that person does not control the applicant and any profits of the business are used for the purposes of furthering the stated objectives of the applicant.

Designation of Public Bodies
     5. The public bodies listed in the Schedule to this Order are hereby designated under section 213(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 as designated enforcers in respect of all infringements.

Transitional Provision
     6. In so far as any person or body has done any thing or taken any proceedings under the Stop Now Orders (EC Directive) Regulation 2001[2] which that person or body could following the coming into force of Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2002 have done or taken under that Act then it shall have effect following the coming into force of Part 8 as if done or taken under Part 8.


Stephen Timms
Minister of State for E-Commerce and Competitiveness Department of Trade and Industry

28th May 2003

[2] S.I. 2001/1422.back