Competition Law at Papua New Guinea
Here’s an overview of Competition Law in Papua New Guinea (PNG):
Competition Law in Papua New Guinea: Overview
Papua New Guinea has a modern competition law framework designed to foster fair competition, prevent anti-competitive conduct, and protect consumers.
Key Features of Competition Law in PNG
Legal Framework:
The primary legislation is the Commerce (Competition and Consumer Protection) Act 2014.
This Act regulates anti-competitive practices, consumer protection, and merger control.
Regulatory Authority:
The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) is the regulator responsible for enforcing competition and consumer protection laws.
Scope of the Law:
The Act covers:
Anti-competitive agreements: Prohibits price fixing, market allocation, bid rigging, and other cartel activities.
Abuse of dominance: Prevents dominant firms from engaging in conduct that substantially lessens competition.
Merger control: Requires notification and clearance for mergers and acquisitions exceeding prescribed thresholds.
Consumer protection: Addresses unfair trade practices, false advertising, and consumer rights.
Enforcement Powers:
The ICCC can investigate suspected violations, conduct hearings, issue cease and desist orders, and impose penalties including fines.
Recent Developments:
Since enactment, PNG has been actively building institutional capacity for enforcement and promoting awareness among businesses and consumers.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Law | Commerce (Competition and Consumer Protection) Act 2014 |
| Regulator | Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) |
| Focus Areas | Cartels, abuse of dominance, merger control, consumer protection |
| Enforcement Tools | Investigations, fines, orders, market studies |
Additional Notes
PNG’s competition law is relatively recent but aligns with international best practices.
The ICCC works to balance promoting competition with consumer protection goals.
The country faces challenges such as raising awareness and enforcing laws in remote regions.
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