10 June 2021
The CMA - working closely with the sector regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) - has today published Guidance for Fertility Clinics on Consumer Law: Helping Fertility Clinics Comply With Their Consumer Law Obligations.
This follows concerns raised by the CMA last February about some fertility clinics' practices, such as providing unclear price information and advertising misleading success rates. It also identified a general lack of awareness that consumer law applies in the sector.
This guidance covers:
- information provision. What information clinics should provide to prospective patients and existing patients and when
- commercial practices. What clinics should do to ensure that their commercial practices are fair, in particular to ensure that their commercial practices meet the objective standard of professional diligence
- contract terms. What clinics should do to ensure that their terms are fair
- complaints handling. What clinics should do to ensure that their complaints handling processes are accessible, clear and fair
The CMA, the HFEA and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has today sent a joint letter to clinics, explaining the need for the guidance and alerting clinics to the ASA's enforcement notice.
As well as the guidance and the letter, the CMA has teamed up with broadcaster Lorraine Kelly on a video that encourages people to read the guidance.
Business Companion: 'IVF fertility clinics'