The Government has agreed to exclude certain charitable memberships from the implementation of the subscriptions regime in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) 2024.
Following concerted cross-sector advocacy efforts, the Government has agreed to exclude certain charitable membership schemes from the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.
Concerns had been voiced across the sector around the potential for individuals to extract benefit from an organisation’s membership scheme prior to immediately seeking a potentially full refund. Addressing these concerns, the implementation will now maintain existing consumer protections and exclude contracts which are between a charity and a consumer and that allow consumers to attend performances, see collections, or visit places related to their charitable purpose. Such memberships will not be subject to additional regulation under the subscription regime.
This latest advocacy success follows cross-sector discussions with the Department of Business and Trade dating back to 2024. AIM joined NMDC and national museums to represent museum interests, alongside several major heritage and arts institutions and sector bodies.
AIM Director, Lisa Ollerhead:
“This is a fantastic result and a brilliant example of arts and culture sector bodies coming together to jointly advocate for change.
Memberships are a crucial income stream and point of emotional connection for many independent museums so it’s great to see our concerns addressed so comprehensively.
Considerable thanks are due to ministers from the Department of Business and Trade for listening and the work of DCMS colleagues across government to make the case too.
AIM’s advocacy efforts are often happening quietly behind the scenes on quite technical issues such as this, but the positive outcome is hopefully clear for all.”
NMDC Chair Laura Pye said:
Click here to read the Government Response to the consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime (opens in a new tab) Click here to read the news release from the Department of Business and Trade (opens in a new tab)“We are delighted to hear that museum membership schemes will be exempt from the new DMCCA rules, which will ensure that this essential source of income for all types of museums is protected and can continue to grow.
We are extremely grateful to Ministers and officials from DBT and DCMS for listening to sector concerns, and to colleagues across museums and the wider charitable sector for working together so successfully to make the collective case for our vitally important work.”
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