Complaint against EM Services for Refusal to Supply Lift Components

61 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) (a) when did the Competition Commission of Singapore first receive a complaint alleging that EM Services Pte Ltd was refusing to supply lift parts for the maintenance of lifts in HDB estates; and (b) which other companies were investigated by the Commission.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) first received a complaint against EM Services Pte Ltd (E M Services) in April 2014. After a preliminary enquiry, CCS commenced investigations. CCS subsequently conveyed its initial findings to EM Services. In September 2015, EM Services voluntarily committed to CCS that it would supply lift spare parts to any purchaser, such as third-party lift maintenance contractors. In assessing EM Services' commitments, CCS conducted public consultations and market tests to ensure that the commitments sufficiently addressed the competition concerns highlighted. In May 2016, CCS accepted E M Services' signed commitment. The duration of CCS' investigations in this case is similar to its past three investigations on Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore, Cordlife and Coca Cola which involved voluntary commitments.

The investigations into the other companies are still ongoing and CCS does not name entities which are under investigation as the information is confidential.