CCPC Tackling Broad Range Of Consumer Harms

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ("CCPC") has a broad statutory remit to encourage competition and to promote and protect the interests and welfare of consumers. We examine the CCPC's dual mandate and its recent focus on tackling consumer harms.

Since its inception, the CCPC's mandate has revolved around two core goals: to make markets work better for both consumers and businesses. However, of late, there has been a noticeable focus on the consumer protection element of this mandate, including in competition cases.

The CCPC's competition law agenda in 2016 was concentrated on cartel detection and investigations into information sharing and anti-competitive agreements. It is clear that the detection and investigation of cartels and anti-competitive agreements will remain a top priority for the CCPC in 2017. For instance, the CCPC recently launched an investigation into alleged bid-rigging in school transport contracts. The CCPC's focus is on cases