1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the organisation and its members conduct their activities fairly, independently, and in compliance with applicable competition and antitrust laws.

The organisation does not permit its meetings, committees, events, or communications to be used to facilitate anti-competitive conduct.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all board members, directors, committee members, officers, employees, members, volunteers, consultants, contractors, and representatives participating in organisational activities.

3. Fair Competition

Individuals must make independent business and commercial decisions and must not enter into agreements or arrangements that unlawfully restrict competition.

Prohibited conduct includes agreements or discussions between competitors concerning:

• Prices, fees, discounts, or pricing strategies.

• Customers, markets, or territories.

• Suppliers or business opportunities.

• Production, supply, or capacity.

• Bids, tenders, or procurement opportunities.

• Boycotts or refusals to deal.

• Other commercially sensitive matters that could restrict competition.

4. Competitively Sensitive Information

Members must not request, share, or exchange competitively sensitive information with competitors through the organisation.

This may include:

• Current or future prices.

• Costs, margins, or discounts.

• Customer-specific information.

• Sales forecasts.

• Production or capacity information.

• Business strategies.

• Future product or service plans.

• Tender or bidding information.

5. Meetings and Events

Organisational meetings, conferences, committees, networking events, and working groups must not be used to coordinate competitive behaviour.

If an inappropriate discussion occurs, participants should:

• Clearly state that they cannot participate.

• Ask that the discussion stop.

• Avoid providing or receiving sensitive information.

• Request that the concern be recorded where appropriate.

• Leave the meeting if necessary.

• Report the matter through the appropriate channel.

6. Bid Rigging and Market Allocation

Individuals must not coordinate bids, tenders, customers, territories, suppliers, or business opportunities with competitors.

All bids, tenders, pricing decisions, and commercial strategies must be developed independently.

7. Reporting Concerns

Any individual who becomes aware of potentially anti-competitive conduct should report the concern promptly through the organisation’s appropriate reporting channel.

Concerns may also be raised under the organisation’s Whistleblower Policy, Grievance Policy, or other applicable reporting procedures.

8. Compliance and Guidance

Individuals must comply with applicable competition and antitrust laws. Where there is uncertainty about a proposed discussion, agreement, meeting, or activity, appropriate legal or organisational guidance should be obtained before proceeding.

9. Non-Compliance

Breaches of this policy may result in corrective or disciplinary action, including removal from organisational activities, suspension or termination of membership or involvement, or referral to appropriate authorities where required.

10. Related Policies

This policy should be read together with the organisation’s:

• Constitution and/or Bylaws

• Code of Conduct

• Ethics Policy

• Conflict of Interest & Disclosure Policy

• Confidentiality Policy

• Whistleblower Policy

• Grievance Policy

• Disciplinary Policy

• Procurement Policy