Market Transparency

UK CMA To Enforce Fuel Finder Registration And 30-Minute Fuel Price Reporting From 1 May 2026

The UK CMA will transition to active enforcement of the Fuel Finder open data scheme on 1 May 2026, requiring fuel retailers to report price changes within 30 minutes. Businesses must ensure technical integration and reporting processes are robust to avoid financial penalties as the regulator shifts from a facilitative to a punitive compliance stance.

5 Apr 2026, 19:41assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Australia Introduces Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026

Australia has introduced a bill to ban unfair trading practices, regulate subscription contracts, and mandate transparency for 'drip pricing' from July 2027. Businesses must review digital interface designs and subscription management workflows to ensure compliance with new transparency and cancellation standards or face significant civil penalties.

3 Apr 2026, 19:36aph.gov.auAustralia

Japan Promulgates Ordinance Amending Enforcement Regulations of Act Against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations

Japan promulgated an ordinance on March 31, 2026, amending the enforcement regulations of its primary consumer protection law against misleading marketing and unjustifiable premiums. Companies should review digital marketing and promotional strategies to ensure compliance with heightened transparency standards for online advertising and consumer incentives.

1 Apr 2026, 19:47public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

EU Commission Clarifies CRMA Assessment and Competition Rules for High‑Purity Vacuum Salt

The European Commission is assessing high-purity vacuum salt for potential inclusion in the EU Critical Raw Materials list, with a formal update scheduled by May 2027. Strategic planning should account for possible supply diversification mandates and increased antitrust oversight to mitigate market concentration risks in the high-purity salt sector.

31 Mar 2026, 18:40europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Poland Adopts Maximum Retail Fuel Price Amendment to Oil Stocks Law (Dz.U. 2026/415)

Poland has implemented a mandatory maximum retail price mechanism for liquid fuels, effective March 29, 2026, triggered during periods of reduced VAT. Fuel producers and retailers face daily reporting obligations and significant financial penalties, necessitating real-time pricing adjustments and strict compliance monitoring.

29 Mar 2026, 19:20dziennikustaw.gov.plPoland

US House Introduces HB8104 To Establish Mandatory Fertilizer Price Reporting

US House Bill H.R. 8104 proposes a mandatory federal price reporting program for fertilizers to enhance market transparency. Fertilizer producers and suppliers should prepare for potential new commercial reporting obligations and increased federal oversight of pricing data.

29 Mar 2026, 17:58congress.govUnited States

PCBL Chemical Ltd Commissions 30,000 MTPA Carbon Black Capacity in Tamil Nadu

PCBL Chemical Ltd has commissioned an additional 30,000 MTPA carbon black capacity in Tamil Nadu, India, starting commercial production in March 2026. This expansion signals increased regional supply availability for carbon black, reflecting strong market demand and potential shifts in sourcing dynamics for downstream manufacturers.

29 Mar 2026, 17:02bseindia.comIndia

Germany: Bundestag Adopts Fuel Price Adjustment Act, Bundesrat Concludes Deliberation

Germany has adopted the Fuel Price Adjustment Act (KPAnG), restricting fuel price increases to once daily at 12:00 PM and strengthening antitrust oversight of upstream fuel markets. Fuel retailers and wholesalers must immediately update pricing systems and compliance controls to avoid fines of up to €100,000 as the law enters into force imminently.

29 Mar 2026, 06:34dserver.bundestag.deGermany

CJEU Clarifies Selling Price Definition for Flat-Rate Processing Fees Under Directive 98/6 (C-62/25)

The CJEU ruled that small-order processing fees do not need to be included in a product's "selling price" under Directive 98/6/EC, provided they are transparent and avoidable. This provides e-commerce operators with flexibility in fee structures but reinforces that clear disclosure and consumer avoidability are essential for compliance with EU price transparency rules.

28 Mar 2026, 16:00eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionGermany

EFRAG Requests IASB To Defer IFRS 20 Effective Date To 1 January 2030

EFRAG has proposed a one-year deferral of the mandatory IFRS 20 effective date to January 1, 2030, to accommodate implementation challenges for rate-regulated entities. This shift provides utilities and energy firms with a critical window to refine the complex reporting of regulatory assets and liabilities across diverse jurisdictions.

28 Mar 2026, 09:02efrag.orgEuropean Union

UK Defra Opens Consultation On Reforms To Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) System

UK Defra has launched a consultation on reforming the Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) system, with feedback accepted until 5 May 2026. The proposals seek to enhance market transparency and evidence integrity, signaling stricter oversight and potential shifts in compliance costs for packaging producers.

26 Mar 2026, 19:23consult.defra.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Commission Delegated Regulation 2026/283 Updates ESEF RTS 2019/815 for 2025 Taxonomy

The EU has updated the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) taxonomy to incorporate the 2025 IFRS standards, mandatory for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026. Issuers must prepare for technical reporting changes, including new mandatory markup elements and updated XBRL packaging requirements, with optional early adoption permitted for the 2025 reporting cycle.

26 Mar 2026, 12:14eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Opens Call for Evidence on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Rules

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to review the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), with a formal legislative proposal expected by Q4 2026. This review signals potential tightening of infrastructure targets and expanded requirements for maritime ports, requiring transport and energy operators to reassess long-term investment and compliance strategies.

26 Mar 2026, 11:44ec.europa.euEuropean Union

US Senate Bill S.4152 Proposes Mandatory Fertilizer Price Reporting Programme

The Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026 (S.4152), introduced in March 2026, proposes mandatory weekly price and volume reporting for NPK fertilizer manufacturers. This shift toward high-frequency market disclosure would require manufacturers to formalize data-sharing workflows to comply with new USDA transparency and reporting obligations.

25 Mar 2026, 21:33congress.govUnited States

Germany Proposes Fuel Price Adjustment Act and Competition Law Amendments ("Kraftstoffmaßnahmenpaket")

Germany is fast-tracking the Fuel Price Adjustment Act to limit fuel price increases to once daily and tighten competition oversight for upstream suppliers. This development significantly reduces pricing flexibility for retailers and introduces a reversed burden of proof for cost-justification, elevating regulatory and litigation risks for the energy sector.

24 Mar 2026, 12:05dserver.bundestag.deGermany

UK CMA Launches Market Study Into Domestic Heating Oil Retail Supply

The UK CMA has initiated a market study into the domestic heating oil retail sector, with initial stakeholder feedback due by April 8, 2026. Suppliers should anticipate heightened scrutiny of pricing transparency and competition, potentially leading to new regulatory requirements or market interventions.

24 Mar 2026, 11:41gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US District Court (Colorado) Denies Preliminary Injunction Against Colorado 340B Contract Pharmacy Law

A US District Court has denied a preliminary injunction against Colorado’s 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act, allowing the state to enforce restrictions on drug manufacturers' ability to limit 340B drug shipments. This decision reinforces the trend of state-level oversight of federal drug pricing programs, requiring manufacturers to maintain 340B supply chains and data-sharing practices despite ongoing legal challenges.

23 Mar 2026, 14:14govinfo.govUnited States

Spain Health Ministry Order SND/222/2026 Repeals COVID-19 Price Caps for Masks, Antiseptics, Gels and Self-Tests

Spain has formally repealed COVID-19 emergency price caps on hygiene products, including masks, antiseptics, and antigen tests, effective March 20, 2026. This marks the end of pandemic-era market intervention, allowing manufacturers and retailers to return to market-based pricing under general consumer protection laws.

21 Mar 2026, 16:50boe.esSpain

Brazil Implements Diesel Subsidy and Fuel Tax Measures To Curb Price Increases

Brazil has introduced a temporary diesel subsidy and significantly increased export taxes on crude and diesel oil through December 2026 to stabilize domestic prices. Energy producers and distributors must navigate higher export costs and stricter price transparency requirements while managing subsidy eligibility and data-sharing agreements with regulators.

18 Mar 2026, 16:17tauilchequer.com.brBrazil

Lower Saxony Agriculture Ministry Seeks EU Voluntary Milk Supply Reduction Scheme

Lower Saxony is pushing for a voluntary milk supply reduction scheme with EU-funded compensation to stabilize crashing farm-gate prices. Dairy supply chains should prepare for potential market intervention and upcoming mandatory contract requirements as EU-level negotiations on the CMO Regulation progress.

18 Mar 2026, 16:04ml.niedersachsen.deGermanyEuropean Union