The new UK Competition Act received Royal Assent on 9th November 1998. The main provisions of the Act (the introduction of an Article 85 and Article 86 type regime in the UK) will not, however, come into force until 1st March 2000.
The Restrictive Trade Practices Act (the "RTPA") and the Resale Prices Act 1976 will not be repealed until the Act comes into force (namely 1st March 2000). However, the transitional provisions in the Act provide that during this interim period (namely between 9th November 1998 and 1st March 2000) the RTPA will operate in a modified form as regards agreements entered into during that interim period (but not in respect of agreements made prior to that period, where the time for registration extends into that interim period). All agreements except price-fixing agreements will be non-notifiable, with the result that they do not need to be registered with the Office of Fair Trading ("the OFT").
