Due to start on 1 January 2027, if Parliament approves the regulations
Get ready for the UK’s new subscription rules
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 brings new notices, cooling-off rights and exit rules for subscriptions sold to consumers. Fairbill is being built to send those notices and keep the record.
What’s at stake
10%
Fines of up to £300,000 or 10% of worldwide turnover, whichever is higher
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) can fine a business up to £300,000 or, if higher, 10% of its worldwide turnover for breaching consumer law in a way that harms consumers’ collective interests.
Refunds
Customers can cancel and may get money back
From 1 January 2027, if Parliament approves the regulations, customers can cancel if a business breaches certain of these rules (section 263), usually within a 12-month limit, and may be owed refunds.
Proof
The business must prove it gave each notice properly
From 1 January 2027, if Parliament approves the regulations, in a dispute over whether a notice was given properly, the burden of proof lies with the business (section 272).
What starts when
From 1 January 2027
if Parliament approves the regulations
Your first new subscriber
- key and full pre-contract information at checkout
- the post-contract confirmation, if the full information wasn’t already given on a durable medium
- a reminder before each trial or introductory price ends
- cooling-off notices when trials end
- the end of contract notice
- a straightforward way to exit
About 6 months later
First reminders on monthly plans with no trial
They then follow roughly every 6 months. After a trial, they follow roughly every 6 months from the first payment. Annual plans get two reminders before each renewal.
The rules apply to contracts entered into from the start date, not to existing contracts. A new contract with an existing subscriber would be covered, and whether a plan change makes one is still unsettled.
How Fairbill is designed to work
Connect Stripe
Install Fairbill’s Stripe App, so it can see your subscriptions.
See what applies
Fairbill works out which subscriptions it treats as in scope, and which notices it treats as due.
Send the notices
Fairbill sends each notice by the date it works out. Reminders let your customers end a subscription, and cooling-off notices tell them how to cancel.
Keep the record
Fairbill keeps a record of what was sent and when, so you can show it if you’re asked.
Illustrations of what Fairbill is designed to show, with made-up details.