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The Federal Trade Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to strengthen enforcement cooperation on consumer protection matters.

The MOU was signed by FTC Chairman Joe Simons and the CMA Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Lord Tyrie. It supersedes a previous agreement between the FTC and U.K. authorities, furthering a long history of collaboration on consumer protection investigations and cases, and promoting multilateral cooperation at ICPEN, the International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network.

“I’m pleased to sign this agreement with our partners at the CMA,” said FTC Chairman Simons. “By strengthening our cooperation on consumer enforcement matters, we benefit consumers in both our countries.”

The new agreement enhances cooperation between the two agencies, and the U.S. SAFE WEB Act provides the FTC with key powers to carry out this cooperation. The MOU streamlines sharing investigative information and complaint data, simplifies requests for investigative assistance, and aids joint law enforcement investigations. It also provides strong and clear confidentiality and data safeguards. The MOU further facilitates the FTC’s cooperation with the members of the U.K. Consumer Protection Partnership, which includes U.K. enforcers and non-governmental entities that have consumer protection responsibilities.

The CMA is a non-ministerial department of the U.K. government, charged with enforcing competition and consumer protection laws for the benefit of consumers, both within and outside the United Kingdom.

The Commission vote authorizing Chairman Simons to sign the MOU on behalf of the agency was 5-0.

The Federal Trade Commission works with foreign governments and agencies to promote international cooperation and sound policy. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases and the FTC International Monthly for the latest FTC news and resources.