REVOCATION OF PANDEMIC MEASURE NO. 4 ON PRICE CONTROLS
The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) wishes to advise all business houses, relevant stakeholders, and the general public that the Pandemic Measure No.4 on Price Controls (Price Measure No. 4), issued under the National Pandemic Act 2020 on 30th March 2023, has now been revoked.
The ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roy Daggy, said the National Pandemic Controller and Police Commissioner, Mr. David Manning, has released an instrument on 10th November 2025, formally revoking Price Measure No. 4.
In the absence of specific price gouging laws, Price Measure No. 4 (similar previous measures) was introduced by the Government through the Pandemic Controller to curb excessive pricing, which has been a major concern since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Daggy thanked all business houses for their cooperation with the ICCC in implementing and complying with Price Measure No.4 over the past two years. He further noted that the recently passed amendment to the Prices Regulation Act (Chapter 320) (PR Act) now gives special powers to address price gouging during a declared emergency or a pandemic.
“Unlike the ICCC’s traditional pricing approach which is based on market conditions, price gouging is behavioral and occurs regardless of the level of competition in a market. It typically arises during times of distress and demand shocks, where businesses profit excessively at the expense of consumers,” Mr. Daggy said.
“With the revocation of Price Measure No. 4, the ICCC will now focus on performing its core functions under the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission Act 2002 (ICCC Act), PR Act, and other related legislation, while continuing to assist the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) and other agencies to ensure the current GST-Zero Rated Policy is effectively implemented.”
Mr. Daggy further clarified that the ICCC’s price control and monitoring responsibilities apply only to certain basic goods and services declared by the Minister for Treasury under the ICCC Act and/or the PR Act. He emphasised that the ICCC only regulates prices of certain goods and services, where price intervention is justified due to ineffective or limited market competition.
The ICCC does NOT have the legislative power to apply price control on all goods and services without considering the level of competition in the relevant markets. Thus, the ICCC’s price regulatory oversight is only relevant in the context of market competition.
Under the Prices Regulation Act, the ICCC currently monitors the prevailing market prices of rice, flour, and sugar, and sets or controls the maximum prices for Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) and taxi services, petroleum products (petrol, diesel, kerosene), and water and sewerage services provided by Water PNG Ltd. Under the ICCC Act, the ICCC sets maximum prices and minimum service standards for essential services provided by PNG Ports Ltd, Motor Vehicle Insurance Ltd, and Post PNG Ltd. This list is subject to change based on market developments and ongoing economic reforms.
Mr. Daggy also thanked the Government for its decision to introduce the Pandemic Measures including Price Measure No. 4 under the National Pandemic Act 2020, in the absence of price gouging laws during that time.
He further acknowledges the Government’s efforts for successfully progressing the recent amendment to the PR Act, which now empowers the ICCC to address price gouging during declared emergencies and pandemics, through its newly granted special powers.