ACCC to target health claims, agriculture

Cartels, anti-competitive conduct and agriculture will be among the priorities for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2016.

Outlining the ACCC’s compliance and enforcement focus points, Chairman Rod Sims said the commission would take a strong line on cartel conduct, anti-competitive conduct and practices and, where possible, misuse of market power.

“We have around 20 cartel investigations underway at any one time and we expect one or two criminal prosecutions this year and some other important civil proceedings,” he said.

Competition and consumer issues in the health and medical sector remain a priority in 2016, including a focus on misleading health claims in relation to certain food products. Sims said there were already some well-advanced investigations in this area.

The ACCC also intends to use market studies to ‘shine a light’ on the competitiveness of particular agricultural supply chains.

“Competition and consumer issues in the agriculture sector are a new priority and will be a primary focus for our market studies,” said Sims.