Singapore revokes essential-supplies controller appointments under 1973 Act

Singapore has formally ended the long-standing administrative structure for essential-supply controls. The Control of Essential Supplies (Revocation) Notification 2026 (S 620/2026), made under section 3 of the Control of Essential Supplies Act 1973, revokes the appointment of the Controller, Deputy Controller and Assistant Controllers of Supplies, and comes into operation on 16 September 2026.

The Notification was made on 10 September 2026 by the Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) and first published in the Government Gazette on 15 September 2026 at 5 pm. It was signed by Beh Swan Gin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore.

What is revoked

The instrument revokes the earlier Notification relating to Appointment of Controller, Deputy Controller, Assistant Controllers of Supplies, etc. (N 1), which had established the network of officials charged with administering essential-supply controls under the 1973 Act.

• The Controller of Supplies
• The Deputy Controller of Supplies
• The Assistant Controllers of Supplies

Legal basis and effect

The revocation is exercised under the powers conferred by section 3 of the Control of Essential Supplies Act 1973, which governs the appointment of the officials responsible for the control and distribution of essential supplies in Singapore.

The Notification is a subsidiary legislation instrument, published in the Subsidiary Legislation Supplement of the Government Gazette. It carries the internal reference [066-01-0013; AG/LEGIS/SL/55/2025/1].

What it means

The revocation signals the winding down of a control apparatus that had been in place for essential-supply management. With the appointments withdrawn, the administrative posts of Controller, Deputy Controller and Assistant Controllers of Supplies cease to be operative from the commencement date.

For businesses and the public, the change reflects a shift away from the standing essential-supply control structure, though the underlying Control of Essential Supplies Act 1973 remains in force and can be reactivated should the need for such controls arise.

Source: Republic of Singapore Government Gazette, Subsidiary Legislation Supplement, 15 September 2026, S 620/2026 (official reference: Control of Essential Supplies (Revocation) Notification 2026).