Competition Act, 1998 (Act No. 89 of 1998) > Chapter 1 : Definitions, Interpretation, Purpose and Application of Act

The purpose of this Act is to promote and maintain competition in the Republic in order—

(a)	to promote the efficiency, adaptability and development of the economy;

(b)	to provide consumers with competitive prices and product choices;

(c)	to promote employment and advance the social and economic welfare of South Africans;

(d)	to expand opportunities for South African participation in world markets and recognise the role of foreign competition in the Republic;

(e)	to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises have an equitable opportunity to participate in the economy;

(f)	to promote a greater spread of ownership, in particular to increase the ownership stakes of historically disadvantaged persons; and

(g)	to detect and address conditions in the market for any particular goods or services, or any behaviour within such a market, that tends to impede, restrict or distort competition in connection with the supply or acquisition of those goods or services within the Republic; and

[Section 2(g) substituted by section 2 of Notice No. 175, GG 42231, dated 14 February 2019]

(h)	to provide for consistent application of common standards and policies affecting competition within all markets and sectors of the economy.

[Section 2(g)(h) inserted by section 2 of Notice No. 875, GG 32533, dated 28 August 2009]

Competition Act, 1998 (Act No. 89 of 1998)