DMCC Readiness for Membership Organisations
Clarity, confidence and compliance - without the complexity
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC) is changing how organisations manage digital subscriptions, renewals and cancellations. For UK membership organisations, this isn’t just legal housekeeping—it’s a chance to make your member experience clearer, more engaging and more resilient.
Our DMCC readiness for membership organisations approach helps membership teams respond with clarity and confidence, turning compliance into a springboard for deeper trust and smarter member journeys.
What is the DMCC?
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer (DMCC) Act 2024 introduces new UK rules for subscriptions, auto-renewals and cancellations. It applies to any organisation offering recurring payments or services, including charities, professional bodies and leisure clubs. Key requirements include:
- Clear joining terms
- Standalone renewal notices
- 14-day cooling-off rights
- Simple cancellation processes
From legal compliance to member connection
The DMCC may feel like another set of legal boxes to tick. But it also presents a chance to step back and improve the key moments that shape member relationships: joining, renewing and leaving.
When handled well, these changes can help you:
- Shift from passive renewals to more informed, connected relationships
- Build loyalty by making it easy for members to stay in control
- Reduce confusion, friction and dropout points
- Use regulatory touchpoints as moments to reinforce value and trust
- Design experiences that meet legal standards and feel good to use
By designing journeys that are clear, compliant and considerate, you’re not just managing risk—you’re building long-term member value.
Understanding the impact
£814 million
Estimated annual loss in revenue from improved consumer ability to cancel unwanted contracts.
£1.6 billion
Estimated annual cost to UK consumers from unwanted subscriptions
10% of Turnover
Non-compliance may result in penalties of up to 10% of global turnover, plus daily fines.
How we can help
Whether you need to meet new compliance requirements or want to use the DMCC as a catalyst for improving your member experience, we provide practical, human-centred support grounded in deep sector expertise.
Our goal: turn regulatory obligation into long-term engagement gains.
DMCC Membership Audit
A focused, end-to-end review of how your join, renew and cancel journeys perform under the DMCC lens. We surface risks, remove friction, and improve clarity—so your processes meet expectations and feel better for members too.
We’ll help you:
Map your journeys and key messaging against DMCC requirements
Spot compliance risks and member pain points
Create a practical, prioritised action plan
Tailored consultancy
For organisations with more complex systems, member types or internal governance, we offer bespoke consultancy support. We work alongside your teams to build capability, align stakeholders, and embed better journeys.
We’ll support you to:
- Map your systems and communications landscape
- Test and improve journeys with your members
- Turn legislative requirements into deliverable action
Why Agentic?
We understand the real-world pressures membership organisations face—from stretched teams and legacy systems to balancing governance and growth.
Working with Agentic means:
Trusted expertise across charities, professional bodies and community-led organisations
Deep knowledge of membership operations, culture and decision-making
Calm, confidence-building support—no jargon, no pressure
Flexible delivery that fits your team’s capacity and tech environment
A long-term focus on member experience, not just short-term fixes
We help you act confidently, deliver value, and protect what matters most—your member relationships.
What to do next
Whether you’re preparing for upcoming compliance, improving your renewal journey, or not sure where to start—let’s talk.
Our discovery calls are free, informal and genuinely helpful.
DMCC Act: Frequently Asked Questions
This new legislation is already shaping expectations across the membership landscape. Here are some common questions we’ve been hearing from teams like yours—along with straightforward answers to help you get ahead.
Does the DMCC Act apply to membership organisations and charities?
Yes. The DMCC applies to any organisation offering recurring payments in exchange for services or benefits — even if you’re a non-profit. If your members join online, receive digital or print content, or pay rolling fees, you’re likely within scope.
What kinds of services are covered?
The Act applies to both digital and offline services, including:
Access to member portals, online events or CPD
Printed magazines or newsletters
Physical benefits like member cards or in-person support
Any offering that includes automatic or recurring payments
We already send renewal reminders. Isn’t that enough?
It’s a start — but probably not enough. Under the DMCC, renewal reminders must be:
Standalone, not hidden in newsletters or general emails
Timed appropriately to give members a genuine chance to cancel
Clear and easy to act on, including opt-out instructions
An audit can help you spot gaps and avoid accidental non-compliance.
When do the new DMCC rules come into force?
The DMCC Act received Royal Assent in May 2024. The key rules around subscriptions, renewals and cancellations are expected to take effect in Spring 2026, following secondary legislation. But organisations are advised to act now to avoid last-minute risk and disruption.
Will there be any exemptions for charities or community organisations?
No exemptions have been announced. The DMCC applies based on service model, not organisational status. Even if you’re a charity or union, the rules still apply if you use subscription-style journeys or provide ongoing access in return for a fee.
What happens if we don’t comply?
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will enforce the Act. Penalties for non-compliance include:
Fines of up to 10% of global turnover
Daily penalties for ongoing breaches
Formal investigations, reputational damage, and public enforcement action
Poor design or misleading processes — even unintentional — could be flagged as “dark patterns.”
We’re not ready yet. What should we do first?
Start with a simple audit of your join, renew and cancel journeys. Understand what’s already in place, where the risks are, and how members actually experience the process. From there, you can make practical improvements over time — and show you’re taking compliance seriously.
Still have questions?
You’re not alone. The DMCC Act is new, and while the core rules are confirmed, there’s still limited guidance on exactly how it will apply to charities, professional bodies and other membership organisations.
If you’ve got questions we haven’t covered — or want to talk through what the Act means for your specific setup — we’re here to help.
Contact us or book a free discovery call with our team.