Competition Commission Referred Medical Firms to Tribunal

Four major medical equipment suppliers face prosecution over alleged anticompetitive maintenance restrictions in South Africa.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Healthcare

Competition Commission Referred Medical Firms to Tribunal

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Should medical equipment companies be required to provide independent engineers access to repair parts and software?

The Competition Commission has referred GE South Africa, GE Medical Systems South Africa, Siemens Healthcare, and Philips South Africa to the Competition Tribunal. The regulator alleges these firms restricted independent engineers from accessing spare parts and software necessary to service medical systems.

Why it matters

The commission claims these restrictive practices prevent independent firms from maintaining diagnostic equipment, ultimately leading to higher costs and fewer repair options for local healthcare facilities.

The firms face maximum potential fines of 10% of their turnover for the period of the alleged contravention. Diagnostic imaging systems in the market typically remain in service for a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

The players

Competition Commission

This is the primary regulatory authority in South Africa responsible for investigating and prosecuting anticompetitive behaviour.

Competition Tribunal

This is an adjudicative body in South Africa that hears and decides on cases referred to it by the Competition Commission.

GE South Africa

This is a subsidiary of a global conglomerate that provides various industrial and medical technology solutions within the country.

Siemens Healthcare

This is a major medical technology company that develops and supplies diagnostic and therapeutic imaging systems.

Philips South Africa

This is a local entity of a multinational technology corporation specialising in health technology and diagnostic equipment.

The details

The Competition Commission alleges the four companies violated the Competition Act by withholding essential resources like diagnostic software, service keys, and technical training from independent clinical engineers. This investigation into the aftermarket for repair and maintenance services began in 2021 following a scoping study by the commission.

The commission began its investigation into the medical aftermarket in 2021.
The Competition Commission announced the tribunal referral on 14 October 2026.

Market Landscape

This move signals a strict enforcement of the Competition Act to prevent dominant suppliers from creating closed-loop service environments. By targeting these four firms, the regulator aims to dismantle barriers that currently prevent independent engineers from competing in the vital medical equipment maintenance sector.

Healthcare facilities may see lower maintenance costs and increased repair options if the tribunal forces these suppliers to open their service networks. Reduced repair costs could ultimately alleviate some financial pressure on public and private health budgets across the country.

The takeaway

Healthcare providers should monitor the upcoming tribunal proceedings to determine if future equipment service contracts might become more flexible. Increased competition in the repair market is often a precursor to better pricing and faster technical support for essential medical hardware.