If 2017 was the year that the ACCC emphasised consumer and small business protection (including an effective focus on achieving higher penalties), 2018 is set to be the year of cartels and the continued evolution of the ACCC into a ‘proactive economic regulator’.

Rod Sims (Chairman of the ACCC), launched the ACCC’s 2018 Compliance and Enforcement policy earlier today to the Centre for Economic Development of Australia. Mr Sims announced a focus on:

• misuse of market power
• protecting small businesses through the unfair contract terms legislation
• compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct with particular emphasis on national and multi-national franchise systems
• new car retailing and the application of the consumer guarantee regime to that industry
• broadband performance speeds.