OBJECTIVES OF FCCC

Protection of Consumers and Promotion of Development of Industry, Trade or Commerce

Pursuant to section 2(1) of the FCCC Act 2010, FCCC has the following objectives:

• promote the interest of the consumers;
• promote effective and efficient development of industry, trade or commerce;
• promote effective competition in industry, trade or commerce; and
• ensure equitable returns for businesses with fair and reasonable prices charged to

Regulated Industries and Access Regimes

Section 2(2) of the FCCC Act 2010 sets out FCCC’s objectives in relation to regulated industries and access regimes as follows:

• promote effective competition in the interests of consumers;
• facilitate an approximate balance between efficiency and environmental and
  social considerations; and
• ensure non-discretionary access to monopoly and near monopoly infrastructure or services

Regulated Industries

FCCC shall be the primary regulator of certain industries which shall be appointed by the Minister. These industries include (but is not limited to), electricity, telecommunications, ports, airports, maritime, etc.”

FUNCTIONS of FCCC

Pursuant to section 15 of the FCCC Act 2010, we have the following functions:

Access Agreements

• Provision of advice to the Minister about proposed access agreements;
• Maintenance of register of access agreements;

Access Regimes

• Facilitation of negotiations about access to infrastructure facilities or services under access regimes;
• Arbitration of disputes about access to infrastructure facilities or services under access regimes;

Regulated Industry

• If, under a law relating to regulated industry, the referring authority delegates to FCCC the power to impose, modify or revoke conditions in respect of licenses granted under that law, FCCC to impose, modify and revoke those conditions in accordance with the relevant delegation;

Acquisition of goods or services

• Promote the interests of consumers and persons negotiating or considering the acquisition of goods or services as consumers and to assist, them to a greater awareness in relation to their assessment and use of goods or services;
• Collect, examine and disseminate information in respect of matters affecting or likely to affect the interests of consumers or persons negotiating or considering the acquisition of goods or services as consumers;

Consumer Complaints

• Receive and consider complaints concerning matters affecting or likely to affect the interests of consumers or persons negotiating or considering the acquisition of goods or services as consumers and, if FCCC is of the opinion that such action is warranted, to investigate the complaints and take such action in respect thereof as seems proper to FCCC;
• Investigate fraudulent or deceptive practices in relation to matters that affect or are likely to affect the interests of consumers or persons negotiating or considering the acquisition of goods or services as consumers and to take such action in respect of the practices as seems proper to the FCCC;

Information

• Advise and assist persons who seek from FCCC information or guidance on matters affecting or likely to affect their interests as consumers or as persons negotiating or considering the acquisition of goods or services as consumers;
• Encourage and undertake the dissemination of information concerning consumer affairs to producers, manufacturers and suppliers of goods or services;

Review of commercial activities

• Review all commercial activities and collect information regarding such activities;

Fix and declare maximum prices

• Fix and declare maximum prices and quantities, for goods and services and rents;

Authorizations and approvals

• Issue authorizations and approvals by way of licenses for the provision of goods and services in regulated industries to which the functions, authority and powers are granted by the legislation and regulations underpinning any regulated industry to which it is to become the principal regulator; and

Other functions

• Discharge such other functions as the Minister may direct or are conferred on FCCC by or under the FCCC Act 2010 or any other written law.

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