Competition Law being enforced on Svalbard

While many complain about having to deal with too many laws and regulations, the inhabitants on Svalbard (Spitsbergen) are complaining that they have too few of them. For one thing, they would like to see the Norwegian Competition Law enforced on Svalbard as well. Now the Norwegian government is going to fulfill that wish.

The Ministry of Government Administration and Reform is submitting to public inquiry a proposal to make the prevailing Competition Law on the Norwegian mainland applicable on Svalbard as well, from 1 July 2009. It is proposed that the Law is made applicable in its entirety, with the exception of provisions regulating the relations to the EEA Agreement, as this is not applicable on the archipelago.

The Law is going to facilitate competition and effective use of resources, which will benefit all Svalbard residents, minister of government administration and reform, Ms Heide Grande Røys says.

Over the last few years, there has been a gradual increase in business and economic activity on the archipelago, with increased focus on markets and competition. Therefore, the local business community and authorities already in 2005 contacted central authorities to see what could be done to improve the business environment.

Proposal – Draft regulation on the application of the Norwegian Competition Act at Svalbard

Accompanying letter – Draft regulation on the application of the Norwegian Competition Act at Svalbard