Commission functions in relation to access agreements:
- Advise the applicant and the Minister about proposed access agreements;
- Maintains a register of access agreements;
- Facilitate negotiations about access to infrastructure facilities or services under the access regime;
- Arbitrate disputes about access to infrastructure facilities or services or to vary an access disputes determination.
| Review and Control of Prices |
The Commerce Commission Decree 2010 empowers the Commission to recommend to the Minister to make a statutory order to control prices in the industries where competition is limited or is likely to be lessened and where it is necessary or desirable that the price of this good or service be controlled in the interests of users, consumers or suppliers. Where a statutory order is enforced, the Commission is empowered to set the new prices.
Price control is important for several reasons namely - it prevents industries that are in a monopoly position from charging exorbitant prices and/or rentals and it protects the interest of the consumers.
| Restrictive Trade Practices |
The Commission is also concerned about business practices that infringe on the consumer’s right to receive a fair go when accessing or purchasing goods and services. Such conduct is viewed to be in contravention of the Commerce Commission Decree 2010
| Consultations and Reviews |
The Commission regularly holds public consultations on pricing issues. This process normally follows a submission by an entity (business or private individual) to the Commission to review the pricing of a good or service within the regulated industry.
Once the submissions are vetted and comments collated, the Commission issues a Draft Determination to all stakeholders. This document is then commented on by the stateholders and returned to the Commission. If there is a need for it, the Commission conducts and intensive research into the issue before the Final Determination is issued.
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