How to deal with an NDRC investigation
July 19, 2013 | BY
clpstaff &clp articlesA series of high-profile investigations from the NDRC has led companies to worry about pricing. Early action when an investigation starts is crucial, as is awareness of how China's Anti-monopoly law works
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This year, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has launched a series of high-profile investigations into price fixing. In the past, China has been lax on enforcing monopolistic practices and in 2012 the NDRC imposed sanctions totalling a mere $3 million.
“The NDRC wants to make a greater impact in terms of enforcement through these investigations. Especially among consumers and the consumer industry as the products the Commission is looking at are all products that are important in everyone's daily life,” said Michael Han, a competition lawyer with Freshfields in Beijing.
Decisive action
This increased action has presented a challenge for businesses in China. There is a definite lack of awareness surrounding the Anti-monopoly Law and, when the NDRC begins investigations, they are often unsure how to respond.