Core Viewpoint - The meeting minutes from the State Administration for Market Regulation indicate a halt to self-regulatory practices in the photovoltaic industry due to antitrust concerns, which could significantly impact market dynamics and pricing strategies in the sector [1][2][3]. Group 1: Antitrust Concerns - The meeting highlighted multiple reports of price manipulation in the polysilicon market under the guise of industry self-regulation since July 2025 [1][14]. - Companies have been accused of signing commitment letters and forming a platform company to control production and sales, effectively dividing the market and squeezing downstream players [1][15]. - The association has been warned multiple times to comply with regulations but failed to report progress to the authorities [1][16]. Group 2: Rectification Measures - The authorities have mandated a comprehensive review of existing practices, requiring detailed documentation of agreements and protocols related to funding and corporate governance [2][17]. - Companies are instructed to create rectification plans that prohibit agreements on production capacity, utilization rates, sales volumes, and pricing [2][18]. - The association and companies must establish internal antitrust regulations and conduct self-assessments to prevent future violations, with a deadline for submitting written rectification measures set for January 20 [2][18]. Group 3: Market Reactions - Following the announcement, polysilicon futures contracts experienced a significant drop, indicating market apprehension regarding the implications of the regulatory actions [6][21]. - There were rumors about the potential cancellation of polysilicon futures trading, which were confirmed to be untrue [6][21]. Group 4: Comparative Insights - The article suggests that the Japanese model for industry self-regulation, which includes legal exemptions and administrative approvals for collaborative actions, could serve as a reference for the Chinese photovoltaic industry [8][23]. - Examples of legal exemptions in Japan highlight the importance of government oversight and transparency in managing industry practices to avoid price manipulation [8][24][25].