A brief note on the UNCTAD model law on competition

The UNCTAD Model Law on Competition (Model Law) was launched as one of the provisions of the United Nations Set of Principles and Rules on Restrictive Business Practices (Set) adopted under General Assembly resolution 35/63 of 5 December 1980. Provision F International measures, paragraph 5 of the Set provides: “5. Continued work within UNCTAD on the elaboration of a model law or laws on restrictive business practices in order to assist developing countries in devising appropriate legislation. States should provide necessary information and experience to UNCTAD in this connection”. The aim at the time was to help all countries to adopt competition laws, based on the prohibition of horizontal and vertical price-fixing agreements, abuse of dominant market power by large firms, and control of any attempt to by-pass these prohibitions through mergers and acquisitions (concentrations) and to establish effective competition authorities, having sufficient powers and independence from central government, to make appropriate decisions to ensure “free competition”.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Reduced Inequalities