WHEREAS, commercial activities must be conducted in accordance with the appropriate practice based on the free market economy policy of the country;

WHEREAS, it has been found necessary to have a system that enables protecting the business community from anti-competitive and unfair market practices, and also consumers from misleading market conducts, which is conducive for the promotion of competitive free market;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to prevent the proliferation of goods and services that endanger the health and well-being of consumers, following the expansion of commercial activities, and to ensure their safeness and suitability to human health in a sustainable manner, and to create a conducive environment by which consumers get goods and services equivalent to the price they pay;

WHEREAS, in order to ensure the implementation of the system of trade competition and consumers protection, it has been found necessary to determine the powers and duties of the concerned organs, particularly the organs in charge of investigation, prosecution, and judicial responsibilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows: