About Us

INDEPENDENT CONSUMER & COMPETITION COMMISSION

The National Government in 2002 decided to expand and broaden the role and functions of the former Consumer Affairs Council (CAC). To this end, it established the Independent Consumer & Competition Commission (ICCC) as the country's premier economic regulatory body and the Consumers' Watchdog.

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission Act 2002, provides that the primary function of the ICCC is to enhance the welfare of the people of Papua New Guinea through:-

• The promotion of competition, fair trading and protection of the consumer's interest; and the promotion of economic efficiency in industry structure, investment and business conduct; and
• The protection of the long term interest of the people of Papua New Guinea with regard to price, quality, and reliability of significant goods and services.

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT'S CONSUMER POLICY

Section 104 of the Act declares the Government's Consumer Policy as follows:... "It is the policy of the State to protect the rights and interest of the consumers and to monitor standards for the ethical conduct of those engaged in the production and distribution of Goods and Services."

Section 105 provides that the State recognizes that consumers have such rights as to Safety, Choice, Consumers Education, Information, Representation and Redress.

CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION

The Consumer Protection Division administers Part VII of the ICCC Act.

The main role of the Division is to advocate and protect the rights and interests of the consumers by ensuring that suppliers of goods and services conduct themselves in a fair and just manner. In particular the Division is responsible for:

• Promoting and protecting the bonafide interests of consumers with regard to the price, quality and reliability of goods and services; and
• Investigate complaints concerning matters affecting or are likely to affect the bona fide interests of consumers in relation to the provisions of goods and services.

The Divisions aims to do this through:

• Consumer Education
• Price Surveillance and Monitoring
• Trade Measurement, Quality & Standards

Consumer Education (CE)

Consumer Education involves providing information to consumers on their rights and responsibilities.

Price Monitoring & Surveillance (PMS)

PMS involves conducting surveillance and inspection on price-controlled goods and services.

Trade Measurement, Quality and Standards

This function involves conducting inspections, verifications and calibration on instruments and measurements used for purposes of trade. It is also responsible for introducing codes and developing protocols for product recall under the ICCC Act and ensures quality assurance, control and the safety of consumer goods and services.

PRICES & REGULATORY AFFAIRS DIVISION

• The Division is involved with administering Part III (Regulated Entities, Goods, Services and Contracts) of the ICCC Act.; and
• The main functions of this Division include price regulation, licensing, industry regulation and other matters conferred on the Commission by the ICCC Act or any other Act, including, without limitation, in relation to issuing, administering and enforcing regulatory contracts by:-
• Monitoring the operation of, and review from time to time, codes and rules relating to the conduct of regulated entities such as PNG Power, Post PNG Ltd, Motor Vehicles Insurance Ltd - (MVIL), PNG Harbours Board (Port Services) & PNG Land Transport Board.
• Such regulated entities that have regulatory contracts with the ICCC which allows for statutory protection on monopoly over such declared services as: Electricity, Water, Telecommunication, Postal, Third Party - Insurance, Ports & Habours and Transport.
• Declared Goods;
• Batteries (torch & radio),Coffee, Canned Fish, Powdered Milk, Flour, Margarines, Canned Meat, Poultry, Rice, Soap, Sugar, Tea.

COMPETITIVE MARKET & FAIR TRADE DIVISION

• CMFT's main role is to administer part VI of the ICCC Act. The main functions of which include;
• Promotion and protection of fair trading practices and fair market;
• Facilitate effective competition and promote competitive market conduct and behaviour;
• Prevent the abuse of market power;
• Promote economic efficiency in industry structure, investment and business conduct;
• Receive and consider applications from individuals or business entities for ICCC clearance or authorization on any business acquisition or merger etc;
• Enforce the Competitive Market Conduct Rules which apply to all businesses, including businesses operated by the State and it's agencies.