CCS Consults on Proposed Changes to Two Key Guidelines on Competition

(View media release in PDF)

1.     The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCS”) has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on proposed changes to its competition guidelines (“CCS Guidelines”) ^[1]. These amendments follow a periodic review that is conducted by CCS of its guidelines on the Competition Act 2004 (the “Act”). CCS conducts these reviews periodically to ensure that Singapore’s regulatory regime continues to provide legal certainty, does not unduly increase business costs whilst keeping markets efficient and well-functioning.

2.     CCS is seeking public feedback on:

a.    Proposed changes to the CCS Guidelines on Merger Procedures (“Merger Procedure Guidelines”);

b.    A new CCS Guidelines on the Procedure for Settlement (“Settlement Procedure Guidelines”) which will supersede the CCS’s Practice Statement on the Fast Track Procedure for Section 34 and Section 47 Cases (“Fast Track Procedure”); and

c.     Proposed consequential changes^[2] to other CCS Guidelines.

3.     In view of stakeholder feedback, local and global regulatory developments, the proposed changes aim to provide greater clarity and guidance to businesses on CCS’s procedures.^[3]

Proposed Changes to Merger Procedure Guidelines

4.     The proposed changes to the Merger Procedure Guidelines are designed to ensure that CCS’s merger regime continues to operate optimally, with merger notifications processed in a timely manner without compromising the robustness of its assessment. To enhance the effectiveness of its notification process, CCS intends to introduce a streamlined track to its merger assessment process which aims to:

a.    Reduce assessment time for mergers that are unlikely to present any competition concerns;

b.    Reduce regulatory burden on merger parties and third-parties in submitting information to CCS; and

c.     Provide greater clarity for merger parties at an earlier stage if CCS is going to be issuing a clearance decision, or is unlikely to clear a merger.

New Settlement Procedure Guidelines

5.     CCS intends to introduce a streamlined settlement procedure (“Settlement Procedure”) under the new Settlement Procedure Guidelines, that will include the following:

a.    Increasing the maximum settlement discount quantum to reflect the higher efficiency by parties who successfully conclude an investigation via a settlement;

b.    Encouraging settlement by parties by facilitating the ease with which parties initiate settlement; and

c.     Providing greater clarity on CCS’s position should a party that has entered into a settlement agreement subsequently appeal against CCS’s decision.

6.     For businesses, the new Settlement Procedure Guidelines can reduce administrative costs, operational uncertainty and provide an expedient way for businesses to obtain closure if they are under CCS’s investigation. It also allows CCS to better utilise its investigatory and legal resources.

Public Consultation

7.     The consultation documents can be accessed and downloaded from the CCS website at ccs.gov.sg under the section “Public Consultation”.

8.     The closing date for submissions is 17 November 2025. More details on the proposed changes and manner of response are included in the consultation documents.

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About the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCS”) is a statutory board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Our mission is to make markets work well to create opportunities and choices for businesses and consumers in Singapore.

CCS administers and enforces the Competition Act 2004 and the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003, to guard against anti-competitive activities and unfair trade practices. Additionally, CCS ensures that businesses observe fair trade measurement practices by administering the Weights and Measures Act 1975, and ensures the supply of safe consumer goods by enforcing and implementing the Consumer Protection (Trade Descriptions and Safety Requirements) Act 1975 and its associated Regulations. 

For more information, please visit www.ccs.gov.sg.

^[1] The CCS Guidelines outline the conceptual, analytical and procedural framework applied by CCS in administering and enforcing the Act in Singapore and can be found at this link.

^[2] Consequential changes follow from the proposed changes to the Merger Procedure Guidelines and the introduction of the Settlement Procedure Guidelines.

^[3] The CCS Guidelines were last revised on 31 December 2021 and came into effect on 1 February 2022. More information is available at this link.