The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 ("the DMCC Act") rewrites the rules for consumer subscription contracts in the UK. This is a plain summary of where it stands, not legal advice.
The subscription regime is expected to commence in spring 2027. It has already been delayed more than once. The detail sits in secondary legislation which, as of September 2026, had not been drafted — the government published its response to the implementation consultation in April 2026 setting out the intended shape.
That uncertainty is why every threshold in this app is a setting rather than something baked into the code. When the statutory instrument lands, you change a number; we do not have to ship a release.
Key terms must be put in front of the consumer before they are bound, without extra clicks to find them.
A reminder must be given before a renewal payment, in a durable medium. An in-app banner or a push notification does not qualify; email, SMS and post do. The statute frames this as a reminder in advance of renewal payments, at least once in every six-month period, or before each renewal where payments are less frequent.
A 14-day cancellation right applies when the consumer signs up. The April 2026 consultation response scopes the further right to two situations: when a free or discounted trial rolls onto full price, and when a contract of twelve months or more auto-renews. An ordinary monthly renewal does not open a new window.
A consumer must be able to leave without unnecessary hurdles, through the same channel they joined by. If they signed up online they must be able to cancel online. Email-only or phone-only cancellation does not meet this. Traders may make a retention offer, but must not frustrate or drag out the process.
Charitable membership schemes providing access to cultural or performance venues are outside the regime.
Separately from the subscription rules, the DMCC Act's unfair commercial practices provisions are already live and the CMA can enforce them directly, with penalties of up to 10% of worldwide turnover. In April 2026 the CMA fined Automobile Association Developments £4.2m over drip pricing — a mandatory £3 booking fee left out of the headline price.
It sends and evidences renewal reminders, hosts a cancellation route that needs no account, and exports the record. It does not draft your pre-contract information, does not judge whether your terms are fair, does not automate refunds, and does not tell you that you are compliant.
This tool helps you implement and evidence your obligations. It is not legal advice. The UK subscription contracts regime is subject to secondary legislation which may change these requirements.