NEXT month consumers will be getting fairer prices when they shop

On 1 May the Competition Law – viewed as one of the most important pieces of commercial legislation ever passed by the States – is to come into force.

It will prevent businesses getting together and fixing prices, stop take-overs which aim to close the market, and give the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority more power to investigate pricing around the Island.

The States agreed yesterday to bring the new law into force next month following approval by the Queen’s Privy Council.

It was due to come into force in January but the law was inadvertently left off the December agenda of the Privy Council.

Two other parts of the law – one covering the abuse of a dominant position and the other covering anti-competitive behaviour – are due to come into force on 1 November.

Deputy Gerald Voisin, president of the Economic Development Committee, said: ‘This is good news for consumers and the majority of businesses operating in the Island.

It is not right that certain companies are able to fix prices between them and that there should be anti-competitive behaviour.’