Part 2: Competition Chapter 3: Markets Section 134: Market studies: removal of time-limit on pre-reference consultation
Section 134, subsections (1) and (2) amend section 131B of the Enterprise Act 2002 to remove the restriction on the time period during which the CMA, after the commencement of a market study, is required to either begin a consultation regarding a proposal to make a reference or must publish notice of its decision not to make a reference. The requirement to undertake a consultation in a case where the CMA proposes to make a reference, or where it does not propose to make a reference but has received representations in response to the market study notice indicating that it should make a reference, are set out in section 131A of the Enterprise Act 2002 and continue to apply. The removal of the time restriction gives the CMA flexibility and more time to gather evidence to determine when the consultation process should commence, provided that it can complete the process and reach a decision on a reference within 12 months of the publication of the market study notice.
	Subsection (3) removes provisions which enable the Secretary of State, by order, to reduce the 6-month time limit period, since these become redundant as a consequence of the removal of the restriction mentioned above.