Reviewed 30 April 2026 by CompareVetPricing content operations. The final CMA Orders were not yet in force on that review date, so timetable language is framed as expected, due or guidance-based rather than a final legal obligation.
The CMA final report was published on 24 March 2026. Current CMA guidance says the Order is expected in September 2026, with standard price-list obligations due 3 months after the Order for larger businesses and 6 months after the Order for smaller businesses. This tracker uses the official phased timetable rather than treating November 2026 as a confirmed universal deadline.
The current CMA readiness window runs from the expected September 2026 Order through the larger-business and smaller-business compliance phases that follow it.
The CMA says veterinary groups will need to clearly display ownership information online, in premises, signage and communications once the relevant Order is in place.
The CMA guidance says ownership transparency is due 6 months from when the CMA Order is in place.
The CMA guidance says veterinary businesses must provide a written estimate when recommended treatment costs are reasonably likely to be GBP 500 or more including VAT, with update rules when costs rise materially.
The CMA guidance says larger businesses are due to provide written estimates 9 months from the Order, and smaller businesses 12 months from the Order.
The CMA guidance says veterinary businesses must provide pet owners with an itemised bill under the treatment-information remedies.
The CMA guidance says larger businesses are due to provide itemised bills from June 2027, and smaller businesses from September 2027.
The CMA guidance says businesses offering pet care plans must clearly explain what is included and show the prices of items when bought outside the plan.
The CMA guidance places pet care plan information in the general ownership, prices and services remedy category, with larger-business and smaller-business compliance phases after the Order.
The CMA final report package includes remedies intended to increase competition in veterinary medicines and improve owner awareness of possible online savings.
Medicine-related requirements are part of the CMA remedies package and should be read against the final Orders when made.