On 2 July 2026, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced the opening of an investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct relating to the supply of Solidworks computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software, together with related products and services in the UK. The investigation was formally opened on 30 June 2026.
The businesses currently under investigation are:
- Dassault Systèmes UK Limited
- Solid Solutions Management Limited
- Visiativ Solutions UK Limited
The CMA has emphasised that it has not reached any conclusion as to whether competition law has been infringed and that the investigation is currently at the information-gathering stage.
At present, very little information is in the public domain regarding the nature of the suspected conduct. The CMA's published case page contains only limited details and indicates that the initial investigation phase is expected to run from June to December 2026.
Despite the limited information available, the product concerned and sector appears consistent with one of the CMA's recently stated strategic priorities of taking enforcement action against anti-competitive conduct that may impede innovation, productivity, and investment across the UK economy. As CAD and CAE software are widely used across engineering, manufacturing and product development, they are likely to be software which underpin various high-growth and technology-intensive activities and industries. The investigation may therefore be viewed as an example of the CMA deploying its competition enforcement powers to prevent conduct that could hinder innovative firms from entering, competing, and scaling effectively, in line with the government’s wider growth agenda.
Mills & Reeve’s competition team will continue to monitor developments with the investigation closely. In the meantime, the CMA’s investigation serves as a reminder for organisations to check that their competition compliance policies are up to date; having effective competition compliance measures are in place should help mitigate the risk of engaging in conduct which might risk infringing the rules.
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