Competition authorities can provide advice on how to comply with the law through a number of events including meetings with individual
businesses or business associations, or open houses. Interpersonal channels can be effective because they provide an opportunity for clarification and feedback. Often combining an interpersonal channel with another channel such as a publication or multimedia tool will enhance understanding of an issue and lead to compliant behaviour.
Canada
The Competition Bureau Canada hosted a free education seminar about the ordinary selling price provisions of the Competition Act to inform businesses of their obligations under the law. The Bureau hired an independent company to organize the seminar, but Bureau officers and lawyers presented and answered questions from participants. There were 140 attendees.
Netherlands
The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) participates in workshops organized by other agencies by giving lectures about competition law. For example, it has participated in a few workshops in the health care sector organized by a trade organisation, a health insurance company and the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. One was about enforcement in health care, which was conducted after the partial liberalisation of health care industry in the country. Another was about what is and is not allowed in health care according to competition law, which was geared at small health care entrepreneurs.
South Africa
The South African Competition Commission initiates strategic meetings in areas where it picks up the most complaints or concerns. A strategic meeting could be with a firm against whom a complaint has been made, or with a business association if the conduct seems widespread in that industry. For example, having received concerns from the franchising sector, it initiated contact with the franchise association and proposed information sessions to clarify its role and other issues. These sessions were in the form of breakfast meetings in three major cities, and both franchisees and franchisors were invited. The breakfast meetings worked well and resulted in the development of a franchising guideline, which
has been discussed and debated widely, bringing about stronger interaction between the Commission and the franchise association. Franchisees benefit most from the guide and use it extensively to challenge unbecoming conduct by franchisors and to engage the Commission on matters where they require more clarity or guidance.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom Office of Fair Trading runs a business open-day advice program. These provide businesses with the advice and information they need to comply with the competition and consumer protection legislation administered by the OFT. The information is delivered through:
- A seminar that offers an introduction to competition and consumer protection legislation
- An opportunity to obtain advice and information first hand from OFT staff
- A chance to collect and order booklets, leaflets and videos offering additional guidance and information
- Details of where to obtain further assistance if it is required
These events take place about 12 times a year.