Amman: The Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday approved, by majority vote, three articles of the 20-article draft amendment to the Competition Law of 2025 during a legislative session chaired by Speaker Mazen Qadi and attended by members of the government team.
According to Jordan News Agency, during the session, the Lower House endorsed a parliamentary proposal to revert to the original wording of Article 1 as submitted by the government, stipulating that the amended law will enter into force 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. This decision overturned the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on Economy and Investment, which had proposed extending the period to 90 days.
Article 1 stipulates that the legislation shall be cited as the Amended Competition Law of 2025 and read in conjunction with Competition Law No. 33 of 2004 and its amendments as a single law, entering into force 30 days after publication in the Official Gazette.
With regard to Article 2, the Lower House approved the committee's recommendations amending definitions in the original law. The amendments include replacing the definitions of "Directorate" and "Director" with new definitions for the Competition Affairs Council, the Competition Protection Department reporting to the Minister, and the Director General of the Department.
The definition of "Committee" was deleted, while the definition of "market" was revised to reflect the market for goods or services that are interchangeable to meet a specific consumer need within a defined geographic area where competition conditions are sufficiently homogeneous. The amendment also added the phrase "independently of competitors and consumers" to the definition of a "dominant position."
The Lower House also approved the committee's decision on provisions related to anti-competitive practices, including amendments to Article 5 of the original law. These amendments aim to reorganize and strengthen provisions prohibiting practices, alliances, and agreements that restrict or prevent competition, such as price-fixing, market division, exclusionary practices, and bid rigging, while narrowing the scope of exceptions.
Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul-monem Odat underscored the importance of the Competition Law, citing its direct impact on protecting markets, consumers, and the national economy. He said the legislation is a key instrument for ensuring fair competition, preventing monopolistic practices, and promoting market balance in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.
Odat added that the amendments enhance the oversight role of the Competition Protection Department by strengthening its institutional independence and decision-making capacity, enabling it to exercise its regulatory mandate more effectively and in line with international best practices.
The Cabinet had approved the draft amendment on March 4, paving the way for its referral to the Lower House, which in turn referred it to the Parliamentary Committee on Economy and Investment on March 12. The committee approved the draft on January 5.
The amended law is part of a broader package of legislation linked to the Economic Modernization Vision and its executive program, aimed at promoting free and effective competition, improving the investment climate, protecting consumers, and supporting sustainable economic growth. It also provides for the establishment of a Competition Affairs Council as an advisory body tasked with formulating general competition policy, with representation from both the public and private sectors.
Source: Jordan News Agency