The mandate to conduct market inquiries is derived from section 18 of the Competition Act. The Authority initiates a market inquiry either following a request from the Cabinet Secretary, a sector regulator or in response to concerns raised by the general public and where there are reasonable grounds to suspect a restriction or distortion of competition.

Market inquiries focus on specific identified areas of the economy. Market inquiry results inform policy on issues that harm competition, inform consumers, and encourage public debate on competition and consumer welfare concerns.

Inquires enable the Authority to initiate investigations to identify contraventions to the Competition Act and apply remedies – administrative penalties or criminal sanctions - or initiate advocacy initiatives.