FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

This is set out under the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission Act 2010 (FCCC Act) as follows:

15.-(1) The Commission has the following functions-

(a) the provision of advice to the Minister about proposed access agreements;

(b) the maintenance of a register of access agreements;

(d) the arbitration of disputes about access to infrastructure facilities or services under access regimes;

(e) if, under a law relating to a regulated industry, the referring authority delegates to the Commission the power to impose, modify or revoke conditions in respect of licences granted under that law- the imposition, modification and revocation of those conditions in accordance with the relevant delegation;

(f) to 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;

(g) to 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;

(h) to 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 the Commission is of the opinion that such action is warranted, to investigate the complaints and take such action on behalf of the consumers or persons negotiating including legal proceedings in respect thereof as seems proper to the Commission;

(i) to 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 Commission;

(j) to advise and assist persons who seek from the Commission 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;

(k) to encourage and undertake the dissemination of information concerning consumer affairs to producers, manufacturers and suppliers of goods or services;

(l) to keep under review commercial activities carried on and to collect information regarding such activities and the persons by whom they are carried on with a view to becoming aware of, and ascertaining the circumstances relating to;

(m) to fix and declare maximum prices and where need be, quantities, for goods and services and rents; (ma) to issue authorisations and approvals by way of licences 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;

(n) The Commission has such other functions as are conferred on it by or under this Act or any other written law.

(2) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require the Commission or any officer of the Commission to give, or hold himself out as ready or competent to give, to any person advice concerning the rights and liabilities in law of the person concerning any matter, or to aid in the enforcement of the rights of the person.

(3) The Commission has the following functions in relation to regulated industries-

(a) the provision of advice to the Minister about proposed access agreements;

(b) the maintenance of a register of access agreements;

(d) the arbitration of disputes about access to infrastructure facilities or services under access regimes;

(e) if, under a law relating to a regulated industry, the referring authority delegates to the Commission the power to impose, modify or revoke conditions in respect of licenses granted under that law- the imposition, modification and revocation of those conditions in accordance with the relevant delegation;

(4) The Commission shall have power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done in connection with, or incidental to, the performance of its functions.