The Am Natural Soda Ash Corp (Ansac) has applied to S Africa's trade & industry department for its industry to be exempted from provisions in the Competition Act. Ansac, which has effectively admitted that its members operate as an export cartel in S Africa, has launched a bid to secure exemption from competition legislation in the S African market. This is the latest development in a case that has dogged the competition authorities for 10y. On 8 Nov/08, Ansac effectively admitted it was fixing prices on soda ash in S Africa & in a settlement with the CC agreed to withdraw from the S African market & pay a fine of ZAR 9.7M. However, while the settlement with authorities over its market abuse seemed to have finally closed the case, Ansac has resorted to the Act, calling on a provision which allows for exemptions from compliance to preserve economic stability.
