FAS HAS RESTORED COMPETITION IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES MARKET

The work carried out by the authority allowed to increase the number of non-governmental institutions providing social services, and thereby expand the choice of such organizations. This will improve the quality of life of citizens in need of social services*

The FAS Russia together with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, surveyed social service providers to identify and later eliminate barriers faced by non-governmental organizations at the stage of entering the social service markets. Based on the results, the authority instructed the regional offices to analyze the regulatory legal acts that are being implemented and implemented in all regions of the country, regulating the provision of social services by providers, for compliance with antimonopoly law.

The market research and follow-up inspections were carried out at the initiative of the FAS Russia to assess how effectively the existing mechanisms create a level playing field for government institutions and non-profit organizations in the social services market.

According to the results of the analysis, violations were identified in 15 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. We are talking about the specifying excessive requirements for the documents necessary for an organization to be included in the Register of Social Service Providers, and for the timing of activities in the field of social services. Also on the establishment of additional conditions for the inclusion of a supplier in the Register, depending on the place of its registration and the presence of a closed list of credit organizations, the details of which must be provided to receive social support measures.

In the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Smolensk and Kaliningrad regions, violations were eliminated even before the adoption of antimonopoly response measures by the FAS' regional offices. A case has been initiated against the executive authorities of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous region on a prohibition on agreements restricting competition or coordinated actions. In other FAS' regional offices warnings were issued about the need to stop actions containing signs of violation of the Law on Protection of Competition.**

At the moment the regional offices of the FAS Russia are monitoring the elimination of the identified violations. In the future, the service will organize checks based on applications received directly from providers of social services.

The work carried out by the FAS Russia will contribute to the development of competition in the social sphere and the expansion of the list of non-governmental organizations providing social services. Including those who collaborated with state social service centers during the pandemic. So their employees as volunteers assisted those who were ill in rehabilitation, adaptation and recovery. An increase in the number of such organizations in the regions will help state institutions to perform their functions and meet the needs of citizens recognized as in need of social services. 

For reference:

* The list of social services provided by organizations is presented in the Article 20 of the Federal Law of December 28, 2013, No. 442-FZ (as amended on June 11, 2021) "On the basics of social services for citizens in the Russian Federation". In accordance with this document, recipients of social services, taking into account their individual needs, are provided with the following types of services: social, social, medical, socio-psychological, socio-pedagogical, socio-labor, socio-legal, services in order to increase the communicative potential of recipients of social services with disabilities, including disabled children and urgent social services.

**The Federal Law of July 26, 2006 No. 135-FZ "On Protection of Competition".