Office for the Internal Market explained

The Office for the Internal Market (OIM) is that part of the Competition and Markets Authority (a non-ministerial department) responsible for overseeing the UK internal market. Its objective is to monitor the UK internal market by reporting every year and every 5 years on the functioning of the internal market to the Parliament of the United Kingdom and devolved parliaments,^{[1] [2] [3]} and to conduct reviews and develop tools.^[4]

Any nation or business within the UK can seek information from the office regarding the UK internal market principles of non-discrimination and mutual recognition.^[5] The office can issue fines and it has been proposed that this should be £30,000 for single fixed penalties and £15,000 for a daily rate penalties.^[6]

History

On 17 December 2020, the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 received royal assent. Part 4 of the Act sets out arrangements for the creation the Office of the Internal Market within the Competition and Markets Authority.^[7]

On 22 March 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority appointed Rachel Merelie as the Senior Director for the OIM.^[8] On 21 September 2021, the Office for the Internal Market officially opened and began operating as the advisory body for the UK internal market.^[9]

Office for the Internal Market panel

The office for the internal market panel that is responsible for overseeing the UK internal market.^[10] This panel consists of 7 members, including the panel chair, representatives of the devolved nations and independent members.^[11]

On 1 September 2021 the UK Office for the Internal Market began the process of filling the position for the OIM panel and this was due to finish on 3 October 2021.^[12] On 11 April 2022 Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng appointed Murdoch MacLennan as the first chair of the panel.^[13]

On 20 December 2023 the Office for the Internal Market began appointing the first members of the panel, these include:

• Professor Suzanne Rab^[14]
• Prof Andreas Stephan^[15]
• Angharad Butler
• Stephen Gifford
• Shane Lynch
• Michael Neilson
• Dr Timothy Render^[16]

Reports

Name	Report Date	Citation
Overview of the UK Internal Market Report	22 March 2022	[17]
OIM Annual Report on the Operation of the Internal_Market 2022-23	21 March 2023
OIM Periodic Report 2023	21 March 2023

Requests to the OIM

On 8 August 2022 the UK Government asked the Office for the market to examine how a ban of peat in England would affect the UK internal market^[18]

See also

• Devolution in the United Kingdom
• Northern Ireland Protocol
• Trade agreements of the United Kingdom
• United Kingdom common framework policies

External links

• Guidance on the operation of the CMA's UK Internal Market functions
• Statement of Policy on the Enforcement of the OIM’s Information Gathering Powers
• Governance of the OIM

Notes and References

1. Web site: September 21, 2021. CMA: Office for the Internal Market launched to monitor UK internal market. Solicitors Journal.
2. Web site: 26 October 2021 . The Office for the Internal Market – What is it . Carson Mcdowell.
3. Web site: Powney. Mark. September 22, 2021. Office for The Internal Market Opens for Business. BusinessNewsWales.
4. Web site: May 27, 2021. CMA consults on new internal market role. Mirage News.
5. Web site: Shakesby. Chloe. September 21, 2021. Government launches new Office for Internal Market to support post-Brexit operations. Bdaily News.
6. Web site: June 16, 2021. UK Government seeks views on new Office for Internal Market. Mirage News.
7. Web site: 24 September 2020. The UK Internal Market Bill and the Rule of Law. 15 January 2021. Law Societies' Joint Brussels Office. Law Society of England and Wales. en.
8. Web site: March 22, 2021. CMA Appoints Senior Director For The Office Of Internal Market. Competition Policy International.
9. Web site: September 21, 2021. Next steps taken to support trade between UK nations. Mirage News.
10. Web site: September 23, 2021. Domestic Market Opens. Eminetra.
11. Web site: July 2021. Response to the Competition and Markets Authority Draft Guidance for the Office for the Internal Market. Royal Society of Edinburgh.
12. News: September 1, 2021. Appointments. The Economist.
13. Web site: April 11, 2022 . Business Secretary appoints first Chair of Office for Internal Market Panel . Mirage News.
14. Web site: Professor Suzanne Rab appointed as a panel member to the Office for the Internal Market (OIM) . 2023-12-20 . Professor Suzanne Rab appointed as a panel member to the Office for the Internal Market (OIM) Serle Court . en.
15. Web site: November 30, 2023 . UEA Law professor appointed to Competition and Markets Authority .
16. Web site: UK Gov Appoints New Members to Internal Market Panel . 2023-12-30 . Mirage News . en-AU.
17. Web site: Sargeant . Jess . April 5, 2022 . The Office for the Internal Market's new analysis must help shape decisions . Institute for Government.
18. Web site: August 8, 2022 . OIM accepts landmark first request to examine proposed law change . Mirage News.