Belgian Competition Authority (Brussels)

Belgian Competition Authority

Belgian Competition Authority (Brussels)

The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) is responsible for safeguarding and promoting an effective competition on Belgian territory and taking part in the implementation of the European competition policy. In order to accomplish its appointed tasks, the BCA applies Book IV of the Code of Economic Law « Safeguard competition », also referred to as the Belgian Competition Act of 3 April 2013 (Belgian Official Gazette 26-04-2013) as well as the European Union competition rules, such as articles 101 and 102 of the EC treaty and EC Regulation 1/2003. The BCA applies Book V “Competition and the evolution of prices” of the Act, examines and may impose sanctions for restrictive practices (cartels, abuse of a dominant position and other restrictive practices). The BCA examines the admissibility of mergers that might have a noticeable effect on the market and works together with the other competition authorities and is part of the European Competition Network (ECN), the European Competition Authorities (ECA) and the International Competition Network (ICN).

Linked authors

Antwerp University
Maastricht University
Court of First Instance of Namur (Namur)
Belgian Competition Authority (Brussels)
Belgian Association of Competition Law

Articles

22825 Bulletin

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of two retailers of new and used BMW brand vehicles by a car distributor (Peter Daeninck / Daeninck goodwill / HEAX)

45

Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of Peter Daeninck NV and Daeninck NV’s goodwill by HEAX NV* On 21 September 2023, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the acquisition of Peter Daeninck NV and Daeninck NV’s goodwill by HEAX NV. The concentration was (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the joint acquisition of a company that rents out commercial spaces to drone developer by a national airport and investment firm (Brussels Airport / Limburgse / Droneport)

36

Belgian Competition Authority approves joint control by Brussels Airport Ventures and Limburgse Reconversie Maatschappij over Droneport* On 18 September 2023, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the joint control by Brussels Airport Ventures and Limburgse Reconversie (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of a company active in the sale of fruit and vegetables by a competitor (BelOrta CV / Belgische)

39

On 11 September 2023, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the concentration by which BelOrta CV acquires sole control over Belgische Fruitveiling CV. The concentration was notified on 24 August 2023 and the application of the simplified procedure was requested. BelOrta CV, (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of the customer portfolio of a gas and electricity supplier by a rival (Antargaz Belgium / Octa+ Energie)

52

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of the customer portfolio of Antargaz Belgium NV by Octa+ Energie SA* The Belgian Competition Authority (hereafter "BCA") approved on 28 July 2023 the transaction by which Octa+ Energie SA intends to acquire the customer portfolio of (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority confirms the termination of a merger control investigation following withdrawal of the plans (What’s Cooking? / Imperial Meat Products)

58

Ter Beke/CFG: the Belgian Competition Authority confirms the termination of the merger control investigation following the decision of What’s Cooking? (formerly Ter Beke) to abandon its proposed acquisition of Imperial Meat Products* The Belgian Competition Authority (“BCA”) takes note of (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of a company active in the construction of roads by a construction and civil engineering firm (Soga Group / Verbraeken Drilling)

70

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of sole control of the Soga Group by Verbraeken Drilling Infra NV* On 25 May 2023, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the acquisition of sole control of the Soga Group by Verbraeken Drilling Infra NV. The (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of a provider of IT retail telecommunication services by a provider of IT network infrastructure (NeWIN / Ethias group)

54

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of NeWIN and its subsidiaries Wallonie Data Center and Phenix Data Center by the Ethias group* The Belgian Competition Authority (hereinafter "BCA") approved on 24 May 2023 the concentration by which the Ethias group (hereinafter (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of the commercial activities of a roadside assistance company by an insurer (Touring Club Royal de Belgique ASBL / AG Insurance)

62

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of the commercial activities of the Touring Club Royal de Belgique ASBL by AG Insurance* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved on 22 May 2023 the acquisition by AG Insurance (AGI) of the (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Brussels Court of Appeal upholds the Competition Authority’s approval of an acquisition in the media and broadcasting sector (DPG media / Rossel & Cie / RTL Belgium / Audiopresse / New Contact / Radio H ...)

120

Market Court confirms approval for acquisition of RTL Belgium by DPG Media and Rossel* In its judgment of 26 April 2023, the Market Court (section of the Brussels Court of Appeal) upheld the concentration decision of the College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) regarding the (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority’s Auditor General requests the adoption of interim measures in a proposed acquisition in the broadband communications services sector (Proximus / Edpnet)

49

Proximus/edpnet case (post-Towercast): the Auditor General requests interim measures to ensure the continuity of edpnet’s activities and its operational and commercial independence from Proximus* The Belgian Competition Authority confirms that the Auditor General has for the first time made (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority receives a package of measures to address concerns raised by its investigation into possible distortions of competition in the roll-out of fibre networks by two telecoms (Telenet/ Fluvius)

73

Telenet and Fluvius submit a package of measures to the Belgian competition authority with a view to addressing concerns relating to fibre network rollout in Flanders* In June 2022, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) opened an ex-officio investigation into possible distortions of (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of several consumer goods retail outlets by a wholesale food and non-food seller (Sligro / Metro Cash & Carry)

62

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition by Sligro-MFS Belgium of a number of Metro Cash & Carry outlets* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved on 3 April 2023 the acquisition by Sligro-MFS Belgium of a number of Metro Cash & (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of joint control over a risk management firm by two insurance companies (Vanbreda / Allianz / Unibreda)

74

Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of joint control over Vanbreda Nederland B.V. by Allianz Nederland Groep N.V. and Unibreda NV* On 7 March 2023 the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the acquisition of joint control over Vanbreda Nederland B.V. by Allianz (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of an IT company and its subsidiaries by another IT firm (Sopra Steria Group / Assua / Tobania / Python Predictions)

44

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition by the Sopra Steria group of Assua NV and its subsidiaries Tobania NV and Python Predictions BV* On 20 February 2023, the Belgian Competition Authority ("BCA") approved the merger by which Sopra Steria Benelux SA intends to acquire (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority dismisses complaint against telecommunication undertakings regarding their mobile infrastructure sharing agreement (Telenet / Proximus / Orange)

265

The Belgian Competition Authority has decided to dismiss Telenet’s complaint against Proximus and Orange regarding their mobile infrastructure sharing agreement ("RAN-sharing")* In October 2019, Telenet Group NV and Telenet BVBA ("Telenet"), a provider of fixed and mobile telephony, internet (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority confirms opening investigation into agreements to pool the ATMs of the four largest banks in the country into a single network (Batopin Project)

91

The Belgian Competition Authority confirms having opened an investigation into the Batopin project* The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority is currently investigating the agreement to pool the ATMs of the four largest banks in the country into a single (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisitions of two car dealerships by a dealership group (Mercedes-Benz Drogenbos / Mercedes-Benz Waterloo / RCM Belgium)

68

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz Drogenbos NV and Mercedes-Benz Waterloo SA by RCM Belgium SA* On 10 November 2022, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the concentration by which RCM Belgium SA acquires sole control of Mercedes-Benz (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority imposes interim measures to remedy the disregard of competition rules applicable to the development of a standard for Cloud applications

109

The Belgian Competition Authority imposes interim measures to remedy the disregard of the competition rules applicable to the development of a standard for Cloud applications* The College of the Belgian Competition Authority has decided on 20 September 2022 that it is prima facie not (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of the closed, so-called run-off, an insurance portfolio of an insurer by a rival (AXA / Monument Assurance)

75

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of the closed insurance portfolio in run-off of AXA Belgium NV by Monument Assurance Belgium NV* On 9 August 2022, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the acquisition of the closed, so-called run-off, insurance portfolio (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority fines four cigarette manufacturers €36M for receiving commercially sensitive confidential information from their customers which limited competition ( British American Tobacco / Établissements L. Lacroix Fils / JT International Company / Philip Morris Benelux)

73

36 million euros fine for four cigarette manufacturers who restricted competition* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority imposed on 13 April 2022 a fine of 5.7 million euros on British American Tobacco Belgium NV, of 7 million euros on Établissements L. Lacroix Fils (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority conditionally approves the joint acquisition by two media companies of six other media companies (DPG Media / Rossel & Cie / RTL Belgium / Audiopresse / New Contact / Radio H...)

95

The Competition College has approved conditionally the acquisition by DPG Media NV and Rossel & Cie SA of joint control of RTL Belgium SA, Audiopresse SA, New Contact SA, Radio H SA, RTL BELux SA and RTL BELux SA & Cie SECS, and indirectly of all shares of their subsidiaries* The (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of six subsidiary companies operating car dealerships by another car dealership group (Ginion Group / Louyet group)

32

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of six Ginion Group companies by the Louyet group* On 25 February 2022 the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has approved the concentration by which L. Louyet S.A. (hereinafter "the Louyet group") intends to acquire sole control of (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority sanctions two pharmaceutical wholesalers for their participation in a cartel and imposes fines of €29.8M following a settlement (Pharma Belgium-Belmedis / Febelco)

52

The Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority sanctions two pharmaceutical wholesalers for their participation in a cartel and imposes fines of €29.8 million following a settlement* The Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority ("Prosecution Service") has (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisitions by a multi-brand automotive group for sole control of three companies active in the distribution of vehicles (RMGA / Truck Service / Initial Auto / Integral Auto)

30

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition by RMGA SA of sole control of Truck Service SA, Initial Auto SA and Integral Auto SA* The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has approved on 28 January 2022 the acquisition of Truck Service SA, Initial Auto SA and Integral Auto SA (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves an acquisition of a company offering civil engineering and non-residential construction services by a real estate development firm (BAM Galère / Thomas & Piron Holding)

35

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of BAM Galère by Thomas & Piron* On 28 January 2022 the Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has approved the acquisition of BAM Galère SRL by Thomas & Piron Holding SA. The (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority closes investigation against two grocery stores’ purchasing agreement after receiving their commitments (Carrefour / Provera)

559

The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority has closed an investigation against the purchasing alliance between Carrefour and Provera after receiving commitments* In May 2019, the Prosecutor-general of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) opened an (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority imposes a fine of 245,000€ on the national pharmacist association for hindering competition (Ordre des pharmaciens / Orde der Apothekers)

286

The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority imposes a fine of 245,000 euros on “l’Ordre des pharmaciens – Orde der apothekers” for the practices that were subject of its decision of 28 May 2019 On 28 May 2019, the Belgian Competition Authority had adopted a decision (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority approves the merger between two retail companies in the sanitary, heating, plumbing and ventilation products (FACQ / Cordes & Graefe)

136

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of the FACQ group by Cordes & Graefe KG* The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has approved on 26 February 2021 the acquisition of the FACQ group by Cordes & Graefe KG. Through (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority investigates a cosmetic company for its imposition of a maximum discount level on its network of selective distributors (Caudalie)

201

The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority has submitted a motivated proposal for decision in a case concerning the imposition by Caudalie of a maximum discount level on its network of selective distributors* On 20 November 2020, the Investigation and (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority authorizes with remedies the acquisition of a commercial vehicle dealer company by its competitor (Delorge group / Coox)

107

Decision of the Competition College of the BCA in respect of the merger between the Delorge group and Coox* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has on 19 November 2020 authorized with remedies the acquisition by the Holding Groep Delorge BV (Groep Automotive (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority does not consider the relegation of the football club to division 1B prima facie incompatible with competition law (FC Waasland-Beveren)

188

The Competition College does not consider the relegation of the football club Waasland-Beveren to division 1B prima facie incompatible with competition law* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has on the 2nd of July 2020 imposed on the Pro League (Belgian (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority imposes interim measures against a sports association because of its anticompetitive rules (Belgian Bumper Pool Association)

490

Interim measure imposed on the Belgian Bumper Pool Association concerning the bumper pool balls that may be played with in competitions and matches* At the request of HCSB BVBA (manufacturer of bumper pool balls), the Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has imposed (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority imposes an interim measure suspending the implementation of a shareholder’s agreement and the radio access network sharing agreement in the telecommunications market (Telenet / Orange Belgium / Proximus)

469

Interim measure imposed on Orange and Proximus in respect of the joint venture for the sharing of the mobile radio access networks* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has at the request of Telenet Group NV and Telenet BVBA (Telenet) imposed on 8 January 2020 (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority clears a merger in the retail sector in stations and airports (International Duty Free / Lagardère Travel Retail)

329

The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of International Duty Free S.A. by Lagardère Travel Retail S.A.S.* The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has approved on 12 September 2019 the acquisition of International Duty Free S.A. (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority fines an undertaking up to €1 million for implementing restrictive practices aimed at hindering the development on the market for pharmacists’ services by other undertakings (Order of Pharmacists)

311

The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority condemns “l’Ordre des pharmaciens – Orde der apothekers” for having tried to hinder the development of the MediCare-Market group and imposes a fine of 1 million euros* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority refuses to impose an interim measure on a meteorological institute accused of abuse of dominance in the market for meteorological data (Royal Meteorological Institute)

326

The Competition College of the BCA has refused to impose an interim measure on the Royal Meteorological Institute as requested by The Great Circle* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has refused on 15 February 2019 to impose an interim measure on the Belgian (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority closes several inquiries concerning restrictive practices in the travel sector and the freight handlers in the Flemish ports

244

The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority has closed several inquiries concerning restrictive practices on the one hand the travel sector and on the other hand the freight handlers in the Flemish ports* In the course of 2006, the College of Competition (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority imposes interim measures on a broadcaster in order to ensure the continuity of the FM broadcasts in the execution of its public service mission (Norkring / Broadcast Partners)

407

The Competition College of the BCA imposed an interim measure on Norkring België* On 22 January 2019, the Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) imposed an interim measure on NV Norkring België (Norkring) in order to ensure the continuity of the FM broadcasts of VRT (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority imposes interim measures on a manufacturer of lids for electricity meter boxes for possible abuse of dominance (ABB)

505

The Competition College of the BCA imposes interim measures on ABB Industrial Solutions regarding lids for electricity meter boxes* On 3 September 2018, the Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) imposed interim measures, at the request of TECO NV, on ABB Industrial (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority fines equestrian competition organizers for lack of implementation of provisional measures (Fédération Equestre Internationale / GCT / GCL)

382

The Competition College of the BCA imposed penalty payments on the FEI, the SPRL Global Champions League and the SPRL Tops Trading Belgium* The Competition College of the BCA has imposed on 13 April 2018 penalty payments on the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the SPRL Global Champions (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority rejects an application for interim measures concerning a merger in the brewery market (Alken-Maes / AB InBev / Bosteels)

165

The Competition College of the BCA has rejected the application for interim measures of Alken-Maes versus AB InBev regarding the acquisition of Bosteels* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority has rejected on 21 November 2016 the application for interim measures of (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority carries inspections at several undertakings active in the wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical and para-pharmaceuticals products to pharmacies

261

The Belgian Competition Authority confirms inspections at several companies active in the wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical and para-pharmaceuticals products to pharmacies* The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority (hereafter “BCA”) confirms that (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority clears a merger subject to remedies in the sector of newspapers distribution and delivery of small parcels (AMP / LS Distribution Benelux / bpost)

164

THE COMPETITION COLLEGES OF THE BCA HAS APPROVED CONDITIONALLY THE ACQUISITION OF AMP AND LS DISTRIBUTION BENELUX BY BPOST* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority has on 8 November 2016 conditionally approved the acquisition of AMP NV and LS Distribution Benelux NV by (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority adopts a settlement decision concerning market sharing agreements concluded between SMEs in the regular river cruise sector (Dinant / Les Bateaux mouches)

365

The Investigation & Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority adopts a settlement decision for market sharing agreements between SMEs in the regular river cruise sector and imposes a fine amounting to 64,100 euros* The Investigation & Prosecution Service of the Belgian (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority provisionally suspends an exclusivity clause of the general regulations of an international equestrian federation (FEI)

170

The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority imposed on 27 July 2015 on the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as a provisional measure the partial suspension with regard to the Global Champions League of the Exclusivity Clause in the article 113(4)-(6) of its General (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority rejects an appeal of a pharmacist who claimed abuse of dominance by a competitor in the market of raw materials for magistral preparations and packaging material (Cuyckens / Omega Pharma)

215

On 30 June 2015 the Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority, rejected an appeal of pharmacist Cuyckens against a dismissal decision of the Investigation and Prosecution Service of 31 March 2015.* Mr Cuyckens filed on 20 November 2002 a complaint with the Competition Council (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority clears a merger on the markets for industrial scaffolding services and industrial isolation services already approved by the German and Dutch competition authorities (Hertel Holding / Altrad Investment Authority)

214

On 8 June, the Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority has, on proposal of the Competition prosecutor, cleared the acquisition of Hertel Holding NV by Altrad Investment Authority SAS* The acquisition concerns the markets for industrial scaffolding services and industrial (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority closes its investigation against an electricity supplier after finding no infringement of the competition rules (Electrabel / Lampiris)

373

The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority closes its investigation regarding the incorporation by Electrabel of the opportunity cost of greenhouse gas emission allowances it had received free of charge in its wholesale price for electricity.* In a (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority dismisses a complaint of an independent rough diamond dealer because of the low likelihood of finding an infringement taking into account the international context of the file (De Beers / Spira)

138

The Prosecution body of the Belgian Competition Authority decides to dismiss the complaint of Spira against De Beers* The Prosecution body of the Belgian Competition Authority has decided to dismiss a complaint of Spira against De Beers. This decision is motivated by the priority management (...)

Belgian Competition Authority The Belgian Competition Authority imposes fines on an electricity provider for having abused its dominance in the market of the electricity production, wholesale, and trade (Electrabel)

401

Press Release published on the official website of the Belgian Competition Authority . Decision of the Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority holding an infringement of the prohibition of abuse of a dominant position by Electrabel* The Competition College of the Belgian (...)

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