UNFCOG 1.4 The CRA: the FCA's role and policy3

The FCA may consider the fairness of a term or notice3 within the meaning of the CRA3 following a complaint from a consumer or other person or on its own initiative if the term or notice3 is within its scope.

There are three main ways in which we might receive a complaint from a consumer or other person. These are:

1. (1)

   directly; or

2. (2)

   from another regulator3 which considers that the FCA should deal with the complaint; or

3. (3)

   from the CMA2.

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1. (1)

   The main way in which we would act on our own initiative is to undertake a review of contracts or consumer notices3 in a particular area of business. This might involve looking at the terms or notices3 used by several firms in a particular sector.

2. (2)

   We will, for example, consider launching such a review if multiple consumer complaints or other intelligence lead us to believe that under the CRA3 there may be an issue relating to contracts or notices 3of wider significance to firms and consumers.

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If, following either a complaint or an own-initiative review, we consider that a term or notice3 is unfair, we may challenge firms about their use of that term or notice3.

1. (1)

   The FCA will consider using its powers under the CRA3 in the context of its wider regulatory powers under the Act.

2. (2)

   In some cases, it might be appropriate for us to use other powers to deal with issues identified under the CRA3. The powers available to the FCA under the Act may vary depending on the regulated activities which the firm carries out. For example, the use of an3 unfair term might involve a breach of a Principle or a rule in BCOBS,3 COBS, CONC,2 MCOB or ICOBS and the use of an unfair notice might involve a breach of the financial promotions rules3. If so, the FCA might also address the issue as a rule breach.

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3. (3)

   We may, in some circumstances, consider treating the matter under our powers in the Act itself and also under the CRA3.

4. (4)

   However, the use of our powers under the Act will not be possible in all cases where a firm has used an unfair term. If we consider using an enforcement power under the Act, we will do so in accordance with the policy relating to that power as set out in EG.