South Africa: Competition Commission opened consultation on review of regulatory barriers to competition

On 22 April 2026, the Competition Commission opened a consultation on the review of regulations that may act as barriers to competition or to the entry and expansion of firms until 5 June 2026. The review focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises and assesses whether existing regulations, including licensing frameworks, sectoral policies, and standards, are necessary to achieve their stated objectives or are overly restrictive in their design or application. The Commission will examine, in particular, regulations that create or entrench monopoly supply, impose complex or lengthy authorisation and licensing processes, unduly restrict market participation, limit competition on price or non-price factors, or are implemented in ways that result in administrative backlogs and unpredictable outcomes. The review will also consider whether current frameworks adequately address market concentration, the effects of vertical integration on non-integrated firms, and potential exclusionary practices. The consultation invites evidence that identifies the specific regulation concerned, explains how it restricts competition or participation, and proposes practical reforms to remove barriers while preserving the regulation’s underlying objective.