Consumer watchdog CCCS to take over EnterpriseSG in regulating consumer protection matters

From July 1, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) will expand its regulatory functions over consumer protection matters.

Both the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) and the Weights and Measures Office (WMO) – which were previously under Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) – will come under CCCS, the competition watchdog said on June 30.

Businesses and consumers can approach CCCS for matters relating to fair trading practices, consumer product safety requirements, and weights and measures compliance, it added.

“Ensuring that businesses operating in Singapore sell products that meet requisite safety standards, as well as adopt accurate measurements when dealing with consumers, is integral to cultivating robust and fair competition, which translates to better opportunities for businesses and consumers alike,” CCCS said.

By combining competition enforcement with robust consumer protection oversight, it said it would “have a fuller set of tools available” to continue to strengthen market integrity, promote business innovation and foster a more trusted trading environment.

Both CCCS and EnterpriseSG are statutory boards under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

The transfer, which consolidates consumer protection, legal metrology and competition functions under the CCCS, comes off the back of the Competition (Amendment) Act 2025 coming into effect.

It was introduced in Parliament in March under the Competition (Amendment) Bill.

Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said in April that the transfer would consolidate and streamline Singapore’s regulatory landscape on consumer protection.

“This will enhance CCCS’ oversight of consumer protection issues and relevant regulations, and strengthen its ability to engage both consumers and businesses on consumer protection matters,” she said.

Ms Low noted that consumer markets are constantly evolving and becoming more diverse, from digital goods and online marketplaces to groceries and daily essentials.

She added that industries were being actively consulted as part of a more fundamental review of the consumer protection regime.

Earlier in March, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong announced a consumer protection review panel to review key consumer concerns in Singapore, such as prepayment losses and online commerce.

The panel would also assess the need to strengthen enforcement powers and ability to deal with emerging trends.

“As industry practices change, and as consumer habits, patterns and preferences shift, it is timely for us to undertake a more fundamental review of our consumer protection regime,” he said at an appreciation dinner by the Consumers Association of Singapore.

Mr Gan said that the panel will consult with key industry stakeholders, study international trends and best practices, and develop recommendations to drive consumer empowerment, raise industry standards and strengthen regulatory levers where appropriate to the Singapore context.

Mr Alvin Koh, chief executive of CCCS, said that the consolidation of various consumer protection functions marks a significant milestone in strengthening Singapore’s consumer protection framework.

“By bringing these complementary regulatory roles together, we can explore ways to reap greater operational synergies and develop a more robust consumer protection regulatory framework to serve businesses and consumers alike,” said Mr Koh.

CCCS also committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders “to ensure a smooth transition and to uphold Singapore’s reputation for marketplace excellence and integrity”.

CCCS said it is working closely with EnterpriseSG to transfer the functions with minimal disruption to existing service, adding that all existing regulatory requirements, registrations and certificates issued by the CPSO and WMO will remain valid and enforceable under its authority.

Anjali Raguraman is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers politics, as well as consumer stories spanning tourism, retail and F&B.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

Competition (Amendment) Act 2025 (Commencement) Notification 2025 (S 426 of 2025)

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