Product Recall of Certain Pilchard Products (Tinned Fish) in South Africa

CCC-CP-NOTICE-1-of-2020

WARNING NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

The COMESA Competition Commission (the “Commission”) hereby notifies the general public that the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) in South Africa has ordered for a national recall of 400g Pilchards in Tomato Sauce and 400g Pilchards in Chilli Sauce (Tinned Fish) with immediate effect. This is following the outcome of an investigation by NRCS which revealed a deficiency in the canning process. It was found that some of the cans were compromised during the sauce filling step on the production line and therefore could affect the safety of consumers. The recalled products were manufactured in 2019 by West Point Processors based in Cape Town and include the following brands:

• Deep Catch
• Mammas
• OK Housebrand
• Prime Ocean
• Spar
• Sunny
• Shoprite Ritebrand
• Cape Point
• Checkers Housebrand
• U Brand
• Saldanha
• West Point

The above products bear the markings starting with ZST29 and ZSC29 on top of the can.

In view of the foregoing and pursuant to Article 30 (1) (b) of the COMESA Competition Regulations (the “Regulations”), the Commission would therefore like to inform the general public to exercise caution and avoid consumption of the affected pilchard products.

The Commission welcomes any representations on the matter from all interested stakeholders and the general public. Should you require more information or clarification on the matter you may contact the Commission on +265 1 772 466 or email: compcom@comesa.int.

George K Lipimile

Director & Chief Executive Officer

Click here to download the Notice.

Notice of Closure of the Office of the Registrar on Official Holidays in the Year 2020

CCC Notice No. 2 of 2020

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the COMESA Competition Commission (“Commission”) shall observe the official holidays recognized by the host country, the Government of Malawi. Consequently, the Commission would like to notify all its esteemed customers that the Office of the Registrar would be closed in the Year 2020 on the following dates:-

The Commission would like to remind the concerned persons that the closure of the Office of the Registrar would alter the computation of time by the Commission in accordance with Rule 3 (2) of the COMESA Competition Rules which read as follows:

“Where the time prescribed by or allowed under these Rules for doing an act or taking a proceeding expires on a Saturday or Sunday or on a day on which the office of the Registrar is closed, the act may be done or the proceeding may be taken on the first day following that is not a Saturday, Sunday or day on which that office is closed.”

Notice: Suspension of Phase 1 and 2 Review Period for Merger Assessment

CCC/NOTICE/2/1/2020

The COMESA Competition Commission (the “Commission”) wishes to inform parties to mergers and acquisitions, the general public and all concerned stakeholders that it has suspended the implementation of Phase 1 and Phase 2 review periods for merger assessment, as provided under Section 6 of the 2015 COMESA Merger Assessment Guidelines (the “Guidelines”).

Article 26 of the COMESA Competition Regulations mandates the Commission to notify all affected Member States of notified mergers in order to seek their views on the merger. Therefore, the Commission is still consulting with the Member States to arrive at optimum merger review periods for both Phases 1 and 2.

In view of the foregoing, the public is hereby informed that Sections 6.3 to 6.17 of the Guidelines are not currently being applied by the Commission, until further notice. This notwithstanding, the Commission shall continue to endeavour to conclude the assessment of notified mergers as soon as is practically possible within the statutory period provided by the Regulations. This Notice is effective starting 6^th February 2020. Note: this Notice also applies to all merger transactions that are currently under review by the Commission.

If you wish to seek further details and/or clarifications on any aspect of this Notice, you may get in touch with Mr. Willard Mwemba, Manager, Mergers and Acquisitions, on +265 (0) 1 772 466 or via email at wmwemba@comesa.int.

George K. Lipimile

Director & Chief Executive Office

Click here to DOWNLOAD the Notice.

Notice of Closure for 2019 Festive Holidays

CCC/NOTICE/1/2019

 It is hereby notified that the COMESA Competition Commission (the “Commission”) will be officially closing for the 2019 festive holidays as from Friday 20^th December 2019 to Sunday 5^th January 2020 and will reopen on Monday 6^th January 2020.

Kindly take note that during this period, the Office of the Registrar of the Commission will be closed for notification of transactions. With regard to transactions already notified and under consideration, the computation of time during this period will be adjusted in accordance with Rule 3(2) of the COMESA Competition Rules which reads:

 “Where the time prescribed by or allowed under these Rules for doing an act or taking a proceeding expires on a Saturday or Sunday or on a day on which the office of the Registrar is closed, the act may be done or the proceeding may be taken on the first day following that is not a Saturday, Sunday or day on which that office is closed.”

The Commission wishes all its stakeholders a Merry Christmas 2019 and Happy New Year 2020.

Notice of Closure for 2018 Festive Holidays

It is hereby notified that the COMESA Competition Commission (the “Commission”) will be officially closing for the 2018 festive holidays as from Thursday 20^th December 2018 to Sunday 6^th January 2019 and will reopen on Monday 7^th January 2019.

Please take note that during this period, in accordance with Rule 3(2) of the COMESA Competition Rules, the Office of the Registrar of the Commission will be closed for notification of transactions. During this period, stakeholders are invited to contact Mr. Ali Kamanga at akamanga@comesa.int or Ms. Siboniselizulu Maseko at smaseko@comesa.int for any assistance and clarification.

The Commission wishes all its stakeholders a Merry Christmas 2018 and Happy New Year 2019.