CMA holds companies responsible for false claims, fake reviews ‘throughout supply chain’

Companies face large fines if they spread false marketing claims or fake reviews about their products and services—as well as those by suppliers—under a toughened competition regime in the U.K. aimed at enhancing consumer protection.

Serious instances of non-compliance can result in fines worth up to £300,000 ($396,855) or 10 percent of global revenues and can apply to any company within a supply chain that takes part in disseminating false information—even if it does so by mistake or without realizing. The rules apply not only to U.K. businesses, but any company that has a “U.K. connection”, so US and European companies trading in the U.K. are also covered, for example.