Sector organisations have responded to the publication of the Competition and Markets Authority’s Final Orders following two and half years of investigation into veterinary services for household pets.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)’s Final Orders came into effect on 22 September 2026, with remedies coming into force in the coming months. This marks the introduction of a number of legally binding changes that relevant veterinary businesses must start to make over the coming months, intended to remove barriers to competition and improve transparency for pet owners.
The CMA has previously set out a broad timetable for when different sizes of veterinary businesses are expected to comply with these remedies, which include publishing information on prices, pet care plans, written policies and processes, and cremation services by large service providers from December 2026, and by smaller service providers from March 2027.
Alongside this, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Undertakings 2026 set out the commitments the College has made to support, and monitor compliance with, the CMA’s remedies that are being imposed on these veterinary businesses.
RCVS President Tim Hutchinson said: “While we continue to welcome many of the remedies set out in this Order and our role in monitoring veterinary business compliance with them, we are aware that many practices have already introduced some of the measures the CMA has set out for the benefit of animal owners.
“We will scrutinise the detail of the final Order and Undertakings in the coming days and continue to work with both the CMA and relevant veterinary businesses over the coming months to help ensure that the CMA’s requirements are as clear and straightforward to implement and monitor as possible.”
British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Dr. Rob Williams said vet practices were already complying with many of the measures. “It’s fantastic to see that following strong pushback from BVA, the CMA has listened to our concerns and significantly amended the wording and design of its client notice about medication and prescriptions, which we know was a huge worry for the profession.”
He added: “This positive step is a direct result of BVA’s ongoing engagement with the CMA which has resulted in an overall set of ’remedies’ that is more proportionate, workable and fairer for both vets and clients, compared to the CMA’s original recommendations in early 2024.”