Section 18 Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018

Section 18 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 is about Powers of the Commission. It is under Part III (Functions and Powers of the Commission) of the Act.

(1) The Commission shall have powers to –
(a) establish specialised Departments and Units as are considered necessary for the effective and efficient
discharge of its functions under this Act,

(b) prevent the circulation of goods or services which constitute a public hazard or an imminent public hazard;
(c) compel manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, providers of services and other
undertakings to comply with the provisions of this Act;

(d) cause quality tests to be conducted on consumer goods as it deems necessary;
(e) compel manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, or other appropriate to –
dealers, importers, undertaking where
(i) certify that all standards are met in their goods and services; and
(ii) give public notice of any health hazards associated with their goods or services;

(f) seal up any premises on reasonable suspicion that such premises contain, harbor or are being used to produce or disseminate goods or services that are fake, substandard, hazardous or inimical to consumers’ welfare in collaboration with relevant sector regulators;

(g) undertake studies and publish reports or provide information on matters that affect the interest of consumers and cooperate with or assist any association or body of persons in developing and promoting the observance of standards of conduct for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the provisions of this Act; and

(h) make regulations relating to the charging and collection of fees, levies, fines and the imposition of administrative penalties.

(2) The Commission shall make general information available to persons engaged in economic activities and for the guidance of consumers with respect to their rights and obligations under this Act.

(3) For the purpose of performing its functions under this Act, the Commission may-
(a) prohibit the making or performing of an agreement or arrangements to which this Act relates;
(b) order the termination of any agreement or arrangement pertaining to the action envisaged under paragraph (c) of this subsection;

(c) prohibit the withholding of supplies or any threat relating to;
(d) declare any business practice as abuse of a dominant position of market power and prohibit the same, after
carrying out necessary investigation;
(e) prohibit the attachment of extraneous conditions to any transaction as it may deem appropriate;

(f) prohibit the discrimination or preferences in prices or other related matters;
(g) require the publication of transparent price lists; and
(h) do such other things as it considers necessary for the effective performance of its functions under this Act.

( 4) The Commission shall have power to –
(a) summon and examine witnesses;
(b) call for and examine documents;

(c) administer oaths;
(d) require that any document submitted to it be verified by affidavit;
(e) require the furnishing of returns or information as it may require within such period as it may specify by notice; and
(f) adjourn any investigation or inquiry from time to time.