ICCC INVITES PARTICIPATION ON NATIONAL CONSULTATION ON DRAFT COMPETITION, CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL 2026

PORT MORESBY, 07 SEPTEMBER 2026: THE Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) is inviting businesses, consumers, industry associations, government agencies, professional bodies, civil society organisations and other interested stakeholders to participate in the National Public Consultation on the Draft Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2026 (Draft CCP Bill).

The national consultation, led by the Department of Treasury, is being undertaken as part of the Government's broader National Consumer and Competition Reform Program. The reform seeks to modernise and consolidate Papua New Guinea's competition and consumer protection legislative framework.

The proposed legislation follows the earlier Consumer and Competition Framework Review (CCFR) and the development of Papua New Guinea's National Competition Policy.

Why is the law being reviewed?

Papua New Guinea's competition and consumer protection framework has developed over more than two decades and is currently spread across several legislative instruments administered by different government agencies and sectors.

The Government's review identified the need for a more coherent and modern framework that can respond effectively to changes in the economy, increasingly interconnected markets, new business practices, technological developments and changing patterns of consumer transactions.

The proposed reforms are intended to:

• Promote fair and efficient competition;
• Strengthen consumer protection and consumer confidence;
• Address anti-competitive business practices;
• Support investment and private sector development;
• Improve market transparency;
• Provide more effective compliance and enforcement mechanisms;
• Improve regulatory certainty; and
• Align Papua New Guinea's framework with relevant international developments and good regulatory practice while remaining appropriate to local circumstances.

What does the Draft Bill propose?

The Draft CCP Bill proposes a dedicated legislative framework for competition and consumer protection in Papua New Guinea.

A key feature of the proposed reform is the consolidation of competition and consumer protection provisions currently contained in various legislative instruments into a dedicated Competition and Consumer Protection Act.

The proposed framework would establish a clearer distinction between:

• Competition and consumer protection laws, and
• Laws governing the establishment, administration and institutional functions of the ICCC.

Importantly, the proposed reforms do not abolish the ICCC or remove its role as Papua New Guinea's national competition and consumer protection regulator.

The ICCC Act would continue to provide for the establishment, governance, administration and institutional functions of the Commission, including its economic regulation responsibilities, regulated entities, regulated goods and services, licensing and regulatory functions, appeals arrangements and related institutional matters.

The ICCC would continue to administer and enforce the relevant legislative frameworks enacted by Parliament.

Regional consultation program

The national consultation program will be conducted across Papua New Guinea's four regions from 7^th of September to 30^th October 2026.

The scheduled consultations are:

The targeted sessions will engage businesses, SMEs, provincial governments, regulatory agencies, consumer representatives and other relevant stakeholders.

Stakeholder views are important

The ICCC recognises that effective competition and consumer protection are important to consumers, businesses, investors and the wider economy.

Stakeholder participation in the consultation process provides an opportunity to examine the proposed reforms, identify practical issues and provide informed feedback before the proposed legislation is considered further by Government.

The ICCC therefore encourages all interested stakeholders to take the opportunity to participate in the consultation process and provide constructive views on the proposed legislative framework.

Written submissions

Written submissions and comments on the Draft Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2026 should be addressed to:

Mr John Uware
Deputy Secretary and Chair, CCFIMC
Department of Treasury
P O Box 542
Waigani, National Capital District

Email: daniel.agiru@treasury.gov.pg
Telephone: 3133 524

Submissions should be clearly marked “Competition and Consumer Protection Bill Consultation Submission.”

All submissions will be due on October 30 2026.

The Draft Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2026 and supporting reform documents will be made available through the Department of Treasury for public review.