SVC-024 / Specialist intake
Appeal an unfair essential-service contract
Decision owner: Competition & Consumer Authority
COMauthorityUnion-wide competence
Independent scrutiny of concentrated market power
The Competition and Consumer Authority exists where market choice is difficult: one habitat may have one water operator, a remote gateway one carrier and a research community one critical supplier. It serves consumers, smaller enterprises, cooperatives and public authorities confronting exclusion or concentrated power. Its independent role protects essential access as well as fair competition.
Choose your route
Office output: Market inquiry
Companies and cooperatives
SVC-045 / Competent referral
Request public records
Decision owner: Archives, Libraries & Memory Commission
SVC-041 / Competent referral
Obtain legal aid remotely
Decision owner: Justice & Legal Cooperation Commission
People and households
SVC-024 / Specialist intake
Appeal an unfair essential-service contract
Decision owner: Competition & Consumer Authority
SVC-043 / Competent referral
Petition the Union chambers
Decision owner: Citizens Petition & Deliberation Forum
SVC-044 / Competent referral
Transfer voter participation
Decision owner: Independent Election Authority
SVC-045 / Competent referral
Request public records
Decision owner: Archives, Libraries & Memory Commission
SVC-041 / Competent referral
Obtain legal aid remotely
Decision owner: Justice & Legal Cooperation Commission
Research and civic organisations
SVC-043 / Competent referral
Petition the Union chambers
Decision owner: Citizens Petition & Deliberation Forum
SVC-055 / Competent referral
Seek Union association or accession
Decision owner: External Relations & Diplomacy Commission
SVC-045 / Competent referral
Request public records
Decision owner: Archives, Libraries & Memory Commission
SVC-041 / Competent referral
Obtain legal aid remotely
Decision owner: Justice & Legal Cooperation Commission
Public administrations
SVC-024 / Specialist intake
Appeal an unfair essential-service contract
Decision owner: Competition & Consumer Authority
INT-006 / Specialist intake
Refer a monopolistic gateway
Decision owner: Competition & Consumer Authority
SVC-043 / Competent referral
Petition the Union chambers
Decision owner: Citizens Petition & Deliberation Forum
SVC-044 / Competent referral
Transfer voter participation
Decision owner: Independent Election Authority
SVC-055 / Competent referral
Seek Union association or accession
Decision owner: External Relations & Diplomacy Commission
Essential access, restrictive contracts and remedies
Investigators examine access restrictions, mergers, abusive contracts, subsidy effects, misleading claims and conflicts in market design. They hear affected users separately from the dominant operator. Interim recommendations can protect continuity while a full inquiry establishes the market, evidence and appropriate remedy.
The powers we hold and the powers we refer
The Authority investigates and makes reasoned findings within its charter; courts decide contested penalties. It does not replace Standards, Time & Measurement Authority technical accreditation or Customs & Border Services Agency cargo clearance. A competitive procurement result does not excuse an unfair utility covenant once the supplier begins operating an essential service.
A case in practice
Illustrative case / COM
A gateway requires every cooperative to buy a bundled utility and freight contract. The Authority defines the relevant market, gathers independent access evidence and examines whether the arrangement excludes alternatives. Essential supply continuity is considered separately from the operator's proposed penalty or debt claim.
Responsibilities and programmes
Antitrust
Antitrust brings together cartel investigation, dominance review and merger assessment.
Explore this programme →Essential Markets
Essential Markets brings together air and water utility conduct, dock access fairness and transport pricing.
Explore this programme →Consumer Protection
Consumer Protection brings together contract fairness, product recalls and digital marketplace redress.
Explore this programme →Public Subsidy Review
Public Subsidy Review brings together aid transparency and competitive neutrality.
Explore this programme →Consumer Information
Consumer Information brings together plain-language labels and price comparison data.
Explore this programme →Investigative Practice
Investigative Practice brings together evidence preservation and whistleblower intake.
Explore this programme →Where our powers stop
Courts impose contested penalties; standards agencies certify technical safety.
Public records and accountability
COM/REGRecords and reasoned determinations
COM/CONTACTAnnual service plan; public decisions; performance and expenditure report.
Contact the competent office
Accessible assistance, evidence alternatives, institutional handoffs and review.