The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (‘ICCC’) wishes to inform all stakeholders, particularly the retail and wholesale businesses, shop owners and the general public that it has concluded its nationwide price enforcement exercise under Price Control No.4 of 2023 (‘Price Measure No.4’) issued by the Pandemic Controller under the National Pandemic Act 2020 (‘Pandemic Act’).
The implementation of Price Measure No. 4 was to monitor and ensure the retail and wholesale businesses (shops) did not unreasonably increased the prices of certain goods and services during and after the Covid-19 pandemic period. Similar to a subsequent measure issued previously that expired in 2020 and 2022 respectively including Price Measure No.4, these measures were to prevent price gouging in this post-pandemic era.
Price Measure No.4 was issued on 30th March 2023 and is still in force until the end of the Declaration of a Pandemic under the Pandemic A, or as varied or revoked by the Pandemic Controller.
Implementation of Price Measure no. 4 – Enforcement by the ICCC
A total of 783 retail and wholesale shops were inspected by the ICCC throughout the country. 278 of these shops failed to comply with Price Measure No. 4. The non-compliant shops were found to have increased the prices of the goods declared under Schedule 1 of the Price Measure No. 4 in excess of 10 percent (10%) of the base prices previously collected by the ICCC during its price collection exercise in 2023.
Infringement Notices’ (INs or notice) for a fine not exceeding K10,000.00 was issued to the non-complaint shops. 119 shops out of the 278 shops issued with an IN have settled the fines issued or successfully appealed through the appeal process.
The table below provides an overview of the number of INs issued to the retail and wholesale shops throughout the country in respective regions.
Number of INs issued by Region
|
Region |
No. of INs issued |
No. of INs settled/appeal |
No. of INs (Active) |
|
Southern |
120 |
70 |
50 |
|
Highlands |
59 |
21 |
38 |
|
Momase |
59 |
10 |
49 |
|
New Guinea Islands |
40 |
18 |
22 |
|
Total |
278 |
119 |
159 |
NOTE: Appeals and Reminder Notices
To the non-compliant shops issued with INs and Reminder Notices (RNs), please be advised and TAKE NOTE that the appeal period has closed. To those shops that have appealed to the ICCC and whose appeals are pending, you are advised to follow up with the Prices Regulation Division to confirm the status of your appeal.
Those shops that have defaulted in paying their fines following the issuance of both INs and RNs, the ICCC will be instituting proceedings against you before the Courts of competent jurisdiction for non-compliance following this notice.
The ICCC encourages those shops that have complied with Price Measure No. 4 to work closely with the ICCC to ensure the prices of goods sold are fair, reasonable and affordable for all consumers.
Implementation of Price Control Measure No. 11 of 2022 – Summary of Activity
The Price Control Measure No.11 of 2022 (‘Price Measure No.11’) issued on 9th May 2022 concluded after 90 days. During this time, 758 retail and wholesale shops were inspected nationwide, and 326 were found to be non-compliant. Most of the shops issued with INs have settled or were able to pay up the fines while 74 traders were prosecuted successfully through the Courts for non-compliance.
For all enquiries related to the price appeal applications under Price Measure No.4 should be directed to Mr. Thomas Vue – Executive Manager, Prices & Regulation Division, and any prosecution matters should be directed to Mr. Jason Henry Sirue – Corporate Secretary and Legal Counsel on telephone number 312 4600 or email tvue@iccc.gov.pg or jsirue@iccc.gov.pg, respectively.