Prices of Essentials Regulated During State of Emergency

The Competition and Consumer Authority wishes to bring to the attention of the business community and consumers, that the increase of prices of essential supplies (products) during the on-going State of Emergency is regulated by a statutory instrument (Regulation 25 of Statutory Instrument Number 61 of 2020).

In terms of this instrument, traders are not allowed to increase the cost of essential products by more than the additional cost of procurement or cost of production of such commodities.

In the event that a trader contravenes this provision they commit an offence and are liable to a fine not exceeding P100 000, or to imprisonment term not exceeding five years, or to both.

For completeness an essential supply or product is defined as:

(a) food supplies;

(b) medical equipment and supplies including sanitisers, surgical gloves, soap, antiseptics, bleach, surgical spirit, methylated spirit, disinfectants, baby wipes, wet wipes and surgical masks;

(c) pharmaceutical supplies;

(d) agricultural supplies;

(e) maintenance and hardware supplies;

(f) communication supplies;

(g) air supplies;

(h) rail supplies;

(i) water supplies, including chemicals and equipment required by the water sector; and

(j) mining supplies,