Central & Eastern Europe Competition Policy

Foreword Competition law developments in Central and Eastern Europe: An overview of EU and national case law

This special issue on Competition law developments in Central and Eastern Europe contains 93 notes and articles from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with keyword competition policy, i.e. cases where countries’ competition policy was notably changed, reformed or implemented. It aims to cover the following thirteen countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This special issue mainly concerns competition policy developments by competition authorities and the legislature. Although the selection of notes and articles collected for the purposes of this special issue is by all means not exhaustive, it is fascinating to observe how vibrant the competition policy-related activities by different CEE competition authorities are and how various national jurisdictions have diverse focuses. In the following sections, we outline the most significant trends and developments.

Read more
University of Zagreb - Faculty of Economics and Business
Croatia 11 contributions 6370 visits
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
China 284 contributions 226186 visits

General antitrust

 The Croatian and Georgian Competition Authorities sign a memorandum of cooperation
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
CCA and Georgian competition authority sign a Memorandum of Cooperation* The aim of the protection of market competition is primarily to create benefits for consumers and equal conditions for all entrepreneurs on the market, who, acting in accordance with the existing rules and competing on (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority approves a new operational strategy for the period of 2023–2029
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
The Competition Council’s strategy for 2023–2029 enters into force* On 21 September, the Competition Council (CC) approved a new operational strategy for the period 2023–2029. The strategy sets out the institution’s values as rule of law, professionalism, independence, development and (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority concludes that online platforms have a positive impact on competition between companies
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
Online platforms have a positive impact on competition between companies* The Competition Council (the CC) has identified online platform practices in its market surveillance investigations that may pose a risk of restricting competition, while concluding that online platforms promote (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority conducts a consultation with the participants in the rail for freight transport market
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2965 visits
The CPC is conducting a consultation with the participants in the rail for freight transport market in the country, according to proposal of DP NKZI for undertaking of commitments to ensure conditions for effective competition on the affected market* According to Art. 75, para. 3 of law on (...)

The Slovak Competition Authority cooperates with the Regulatory Office for Network Industries to monitor the situation in the area of electricity supply
Slovak Competition Authority (Bratislava)
Slovakia 57 contributions 5745 visits
AMO SR monitors situation in the area of electricity supply and cooperates with URSO* During recent period, the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (hereafter "the Office") has been observing the development of situation on energy markets more intensively and monitoring the behaviour (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority signs a cooperation memorandum with European competition authorities to promote regional cooperation and enforcement
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
Competition Council signs the Memorandum on regional cooperation with ten Eastern European and Baltic countries* On 18 April, the Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) undertook to promote regional cooperation on competition policy and enforcement by signing a Cooperation Memorandum with (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority and nine other competition authorities sign a memorandum to strengthen regional cooperation
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 95 contributions 19785 visits
Competition authorities of the region strengthen their cooperation* 18 April 2023, Budapest – The Hungarian Competition Authority and nine further competition authorities from the region signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Warsaw to strengthen their partnership in the field of (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority and the Hungarian Ministry of Economic Development plan to create an online price monitoring database
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 95 contributions 19785 visits
JOINT COMMUNICATION OF THE HUNGARIAN COMPETITION AUTHORITY AND THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT* The Ministry supports the proposal of the Hungarian Competition Authority to create an online price monitoring database 23 March 2023, Budapest - Based on the experience of the ongoing (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority announces its competition law enforcement priorities for 2023
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2965 visits
The CPC adopted its enforcement priorities in applying the Law on Protection of Competition for 2023* By decision №101/26.01.2023 the CPC adopted annual priorities in pursuing antitrust, unfair competition and unfair commercial practices cases. In the context of the dynamic socio-economic (...)

The Czech Competition Authority publishes a sector inquiry on the pharmaceuticals distribution sector
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
Czech Republic 49 contributions 6617 visits
THE OFFICE HAS COMPLETED A SECTOR INQUIRY INTO THE DISTRIBUTION OF PHARMACEUTICALS* The Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as "the Office") completed a sector inquiry in the area of distribution of pharmaceuticals, which was carried out in the years 2021-2022. (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority adopts a report on its sector inquiry into the energy market
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2965 visits
CPC adopted a Sector inquiry of the competitive environment on the markets of production, transmission, supply and share distribution of heating power in the Republic of Bulgaria.* By Decision № 1072/22.12.2022, ruled on case № KZK-318/2020, CPC adopted a Sector inquiry of the competitive (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority conducts a survey which finds that one in ten entrepreneurs and municipalities are ready to engage in a competition law violation
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
Every tenth entrepreneur and municipality are ready to engage in a competition law violation* A public opinion survey conducted by the Competition Council (the CC) reveals that, despite the growing public awareness of fair competition and the applicable penalty amounts for violation of (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority says that municipalities which conclude in-house contracts without organizing competitive public procurement procedures may be subject to competition investigations
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
In-house contract can be concluded only in exceptional cases after assessing its impact on fair competition* The Lithuanian competition authority Konkurencijos taryba supervising how municipalities comply with the Law on Competition when concluding in-house contracts will analyse whether (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority and the Financial Services Supervisory Agency sign a memorandum of agreement for cooperation on sustainable competition policy
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency and Croatian Competition Agency sign a memorandum of agreement* The parties committed themselves to cooperation in the area of competition in the financial services market including the capital market, the insurance market, the pension insurance (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority and the State Commission for the Supervision of Public Procurement Procedures sign a memorandum of agreement committing to cooperate in ensuring effective competition in public procurement
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
STATE COMMISSION FOR THE SUPERVISION OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES AND CROATIAN COMPETITION AGENCY SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT* The parties committed themselves to cooperation in the area of competition in the public procurement procedures in all markets in the territory of the (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority analyses the impact of tax consultancy and financial audit legislation on national competition
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29328 visits
The competition council analyses the impact of tax consultancy and financial audit legislation on competition* The Competition Council carries out a study to analyse the impact on competition of the legislative provisions that oblige companies in the field of tax consultancy and financial (...)

The OECD suspends Russia and Belarus from participating in its activities as a sanction for Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
OECD suspends participation of Russia and Belarus in organisation‘s activities* On March 8 the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) decided to suspend the participation of Russia and Belarus in all OECD bodies, including the meetings of the OECD Competition (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority urges retail chains not to use their market power unfairly as suppliers suspend their ties with Russia and Belarus
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
“After” suppliers suspend their ties with Russia and Belarus, Lithuanian konkurencijos taryba urges retail chains not to use their market power unfairly* The Lithuanian competition authority Konkurencijos taryba has sent a letter to the firms managing five major retail chains urging them to (...)

The Slovak Competition Authority releases a statement of support for the suspension of the Russian Federation in international cooperation in the field of competition protection
Slovak Competition Authority (Bratislava)
Slovakia 57 contributions 5745 visits
In connection with events in Ukraine, ICN Chair suspended the participation of the Russian Federation in international cooperation in the field of competition protection* AMO SR supports the ICN Chair´s decision. The International Competition Network (ICN) represents a global platform for (...)

The Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, and Polish competition authorities jointly urge the OECD and UNCTAD to exclude Russian Government and individual experts from future events as a sanction for the country’s military aggression against Ukraine
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
Joint statements to OECD and UNCTAD by Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Polish Competition Authorities in support of Ukraine* We, the heads of the Lithuanian, Estonian, Latvian and Polish Competition Authorities, support the condemnation by our national governments of Russia‘s open large-scale (...)

The Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian Competition Authorities jointly urge the International Competition Network to exclude Russian Government and individual experts from future events as a sanction for the country’s military aggression against Ukraine
Estonian Competition Authority (Tallinn)
Estonia 12 contributions 1554 visits
,
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
,
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
JOINT STATEMENT BY LITHUANIAN, LATVIAN, ESTONIAN COMPETITION AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE* We, the heads of the Lithuanian, Estonian and Latvian Competition Authorities, support the condemnation by our national governments of Russia‘s open large-scale aggression against an independent, (...)

The Hungarian National Assembly adopts the Competition Authority’s report for 2021, noting particularly a 25% rise in enforcement actions
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 95 contributions 19785 visits
The Hungarian National Assembly adopted the report of the Hungarian Competition Authority* 22 February 2022, Budapest - the Committee on Economics of the Hungarian National Assembly adopted the report on the Hungarian Competition Authority’s (GVH) activities and experiences related to the (...)

The Estonian Competition Authority finds that the low availability of high-speed internet in rural areas can lead to competition concerns
Estonian Competition Authority (Tallinn)
Estonia 12 contributions 1554 visits
The low availability of high-speed internet in rural areas can lead to competition concerns* The Estonian Competition Authority examined the issues related to the availability of internet services in rural and sparsely populated areas from the point of view of the competition situation. The (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority recommends the division of public procurement contracts into road modernisation and repair works to increase competition in the bidding process
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29328 visits
Consiliul Concurrentei : Division into lots of roads modernisation and repair works increases competition * The Competition Council recommends to the local public authorities to divide into lots the public procurement contracts / framework agreements for road modernization and repair (...)

The Czech Competition Authority discusses future cooperation and effective investigation of cartel agreements with the Slovak and Hungarian competition authorities
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
Czech Republic 49 contributions 6617 visits
The Chairman of the office discussed future cooperation and effective investigation of cartel agreements with the Slovak and Hungarian competition authorities* Petr Mlsna, the Chairman of the Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as “the Office”), made a working (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority and the national regulator for network industries re-sign a cooperation agreement undertaking to focus particularly on telecommunications, postal and railway services and digital markets
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
Hakom and CCA re-sign the cooperation agreement* With the view to facilitating the cooperation in the area of competition policy, particularly in the area of telecommunications, postal and railway services and digital markets, the president of the Competition Council Mirta Kapural, PhD and (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority joins forces with umbrella organisations representing domestic municipalities to tackle anti-competitive behaviours
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 95 contributions 19785 visits
The GVH and the Hungarian Association of Cities with County Rights join forces for fair competition* 7 December 2021, Budapest – The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) and the Hungarian Association of Cities with County Rights (MJVSZ) have concluded a cooperation agreement. The GVH and (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority directs that price increase announcements by professional associations may infringe competition law
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29328 visits
Price increase announcement can infringe the competition law* The Competition Council underlines that each undertaking belonging to a professional association must independently set its commercial policy and the anticipation of a certain price that should be charged may fall under the (...)

The OECD Competition Committee approves the Hungarian Competition Authority’s 2022 programme for the Regional Centre for Competition in Budapest
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 95 contributions 19785 visits
The Competition Committee of the OECD has approved the 2022 programme of the OECD-GVH Regional Centre for Competition* 23 November 2021, Budapest – The President of the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) presented the next year’s programme plans for the regional centre for competition, (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority publishes its market study concerning the national press publishing sector which indicates an unceasing fall in paid circulation
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
Press Publishing Market in 2020 indicates unceasing fall in paid circulation* The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) carried out its regular market investigation into the Croatian press publishing market in 2020 with the view to defining the market shares of the relevant market participants. (...)

The Polish Competition Authority publishes its annual antitrust activity report for 2020
Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3079 visits
,
Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3079 visits
At the end of June, the Polish Competition Authority (UOKiK) published its annual activity report for 2020 (the Report). The Report shows that last year was particularly notable for UOKiK’s enforcement. Highest fine in UOKiK’s history UOKiK imposed the highest fine in its history on (...)

The Slovak Parliament adopts the new competition law Act implementing the ECN+ directive and sets the date from when it would come into force
Čechová & Partners (Bratislava)
Slovakia 13 contributions 18512 visits
,
Čechová & Partners (Bratislava)
Slovakia 6 contributions 1893 visits
The new Slovak Competition Act will come into force on 1 June 2021. While the primary purpose of adoption of the new legislation is the transposition of Directive 2019/1 to empower the competition authorities of the Member States to be more effective enforcers and to ensure the proper (...)

The Slovak Parliament adopts the Act on Protection of Competition which implements the provisions of the ECN+ Directive
Čechová & Partners (Bratislava)
Slovakia 6 contributions 1893 visits
,
Čechová & Partners (Bratislava)
Slovakia 13 contributions 18512 visits
The implementation of the Directive 2019/1 to empower the competition authorities of the Member States to be more effective enforcers and to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market (ECN+ Directive) is a topic that resonates in competition law circles all over the EU. In Slovakia, (...)

The Croatian Government adopts a revised Competition Act transposing the ECN+ Directive that places fundamental guarantees of independence for the National Competition Authority
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
Croatia adopts revised Competition Act 2021* The Act on the Amendments to the Competition Act was published in Official Gazette 41/2021 on 16 April 2021 and enters into force on 24 April 2021. In compliance with the rule against retroactivity, which prohibits the imposition of ex post facto (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority announces that the labelling of food and agriculture products falls outside the scope of its competence
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
Labelling of food and agri products falls outside the scope of Croatian Competition Agency* Following a number of recent media reactions and allegations calling out the Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) to take necessary steps and measures regarding the alleged improper marking and labelling (...)

The Czech Competition Authority publishes an annual report summarizing its significant activities in 2020 and outlining the agenda for 2021
Bird & Bird (Prague)
Czech Republic 25 contributions 4446 visits
,
Dentons (Prague)
Czech Republic 14 contributions 3316 visits
The Office for the Protection of Competition (“Office”) recently published an annual report summarizing its significant activities in 2020 and outlining the agenda for 2021. The most important areas are prohibited agreements, abuse of a dominant position and significant market power. In (...)

The Czech Government discusses two bills that may grant more powers to National Competition Authority
Bird & Bird (Prague)
Czech Republic 25 contributions 4446 visits
,
Dentons (Prague)
Czech Republic 14 contributions 3316 visits
Currently, there are two bills being discussed in the Czech Parliament. Under the first bill, which implements the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) in the Czech Republic, the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (Office) would be entitled to require providers of public (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority issues a set of guidelines for marketing and commercial practices related to green and eco-friendly claims
Bird & Bird (Budapest)
Hungary 2 contributions 311 visits
The growing expectation of consumers towards manufacturers in offering environmental-friendly products and the impact of this expectation to commercial practises did not go unnoticed in Hungary either. At the end of 2020 the Hungarian Consumer Authority (“HCA”) assessed marketing and (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority carries out a market inquiry in the online hotel booking sector
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
CCA carried out a market inquiry in the on-line hotel booking sector in the republic of Croatia* The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) has conducted a market inquiry into the provision of on-line hotel booking services in the Republic of Croatia. The market inquiry was commenced at the end (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority publishes a study on big data
KU Leuven
Belgium 15 contributions 3458 visits
On 3 December 2020, the Romanian Competition Council (“RCC”) published a study on the effects of Big Data on competition (the “Study”). The Study explains that the use of algorithmic models helps companies adjust their prices in real time, depending on changes in market demand. However, (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority signs cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Justice
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 95 contributions 19785 visits
The Hungarian Ministry of Justice and the Competition Authority cooperate for fair competition* The Hungarian Ministry of Justice (IM) and the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) have signed a cooperation agreement. The cooperation will facilitate the professional work of the two (...)

The Romanian Government drafts a law on the authorisation of 5G technology manufacturers and its effects on competition
Maravela, Popescu & Asociatii (Bucharest)
Romania 5 contributions 991 visits
,
Maravela, Popescu & Asociatii (Bucharest)
Romania 1 contribution 105 visits
The Romanian draft law on the authorisation of 5G technology manufacturers and its effects on competition represents a challenge for mobile operators and competition regulators. A draft law on measures relating to information and communication infrastructures of national interest and the (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority releases its 2019 annual report
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
Annual Report of the Croatian Competition Agency for 2019* The Annual Report for 2019 outlines the CCA activities in the previous year and informs the political scene, the economic operators and all professional stakeholders about the operation of the CCA in 2019, ensuring the transparency (...)

The Montenegrin Government adopts antitrust legislation in line with EU law to be a candidate to the Union
Agency for Protection of Competition (Podgorica)
Montenegro 1 contribution 78 visits
Press release: Montenegro has opened the last negotiating chapter 8* On Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Montenegro is opened the last remaining negotiation chapter- 8 Competition in the accession negotiations with the European Union. Now the work on closing the chapter remains. Only three are (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority updates its organisation and functioning, including new attributions for the personnel, and new duties for the departments and divisions
Procter & Gamble (Bucharest)
2 contributions 133 visits
,
Berea Legal
Romania 1 contribution 75 visits
On December 4, 2019, the Order of the President of the Romanian Competition Council no. 985/2019 (“Order no. 985/2019”) on the implementation of the regulation regarding the organization and functioning of the Romanian Competition Council (“RCC”) was published in the Official Gazette no. 976. (...)

The Estonian Competition Authority forms an opinion about the competition of 5G frequency licences and believes the frequency band should be divided into small blocks
Estonian Competition Authority (Tallinn)
Estonia 12 contributions 1554 visits
The Competition Authority formed an opinion about the competition of frequency licenses in the frequency band of 3,410-3,800 MHz, as a result of which, the undertakings acquiring the licenses will start building a so-called 5G network for communications services. The Competition Authority (...)

The Latvian Parliament adopts amendments to the Competition Law granting the Competition Council powers to address competition distortions caused by public administrative bodies
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
The Competition Council of Latvia will be able to prevent competition distortions caused by public administrative bodies* On 28 March, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Competition Law, which grant the Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) the powers to address (...)

Anticompetitive practices

 The OECD adopts certain recommendations in order to promote fair competition in procurement by reducing the risk of matched bids, facilitating the detection of cartels and promoting the enforcement of anti-cartel legislations in public procurement
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
OECD: Inter-institutional cooperation, informed contractors, reliable databases and digital tools can help detect cartels in public procurement* The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has adopted Recommendations to Combat Cartels in Public Procurement, which call (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority fines four companies for bid rigging in public procurement for food delivery (Agro-Vir / Agrodalm / Diljexport / Marino Lučko)
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 2 contributions 898 visits
a) Key points and main facts of the case The CCA in its decision from 28 April 2022 found that the undertakings Agro-Vir d.o.o., Agrodalm d.o.o. and Diljexport d.o.o. Zagreb, in the period from 4 June 2012 to to 1 January 2014 and undertaking Marino-Lučko d.o.o. in the period from 1 (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority permits entrepreneurs to make joint purchases of raw materials due to disruptions from sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus subject to the Authority’s clearance
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
The CC: Entrepreneurs may agree to jointly purchase raw materials in the event of a shortage of raw materials As a result of the Russian Federation’s military aggression supported by the Republic of Belarus and the associated sanctions imposed on these countries, businesses in several (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority recommends that retailers affected by COVID-19 can negotiate their rental agreements as a group through intermediaries to avoid breaking competition law in the process
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29328 visits
The Competition Council Makes Recommendations in the Context of Reopening the Shopping Centres* The Competition Council recommends those companies that have rented commercial spaces in shopping centres to independently negotiate their contractual conditions with the owners/administrators of (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority announces it will focus on allowing and monitoring collaborations among competitors in the markets for public health products and pharmaceuticals as well as food and commerce important for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2965 visits
Message by the CPC on the application of antitrust rules in the state of emergency situation concerning COVID-19* The Commission for protection of competition supports the joint position of the European Commission and the national competition authorities within the European Competition (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority invites competing businesses planning to cooperate during the COVID-19 pandemic to contact the Authority and the EU Commission for guidance about their cooperation intentions
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
European Commission and EU competition authorities encourage companies to seek guidance on cooperation initiatives* Businesses are currently facing particular challenges due to the coronavirus crisis, which may encourage companies to cooperate with each other in order to overcome the (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority publishes amendments to the competition law which prohibits public administrative bodies from hindering, restricting or deforming competition
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
New framework of the competition law in Latvia against competition distortions created by public administrative bodies comes into force* On 1 January 2020, amendments to the Competition Law of the Republic of Latvia entered into force prohibiting public administrative bodies – the state, (...)

The Montenegrin Government adopts block exemption decrees in line with EU law
BDK Advokati (Belgrade)
Serbia 15 contributions 712 visits
The Government of Montenegro has adopted four block exemption decrees, two in the sphere of vertical agreements (general exemption decree and exemption for vertical agreements in the motor vehicle sector) and two applicable to horizontal agreements (specialization agreements and research and (...)

Mergers

 The Slovak Parliament adopts the Act on Protection of Competition which contains rules on merger control
Čechová & Partners (Bratislava)
Slovakia 6 contributions 1893 visits
,
Čechová & Partners (Bratislava)
Slovakia 13 contributions 18512 visits
The new Slovak Competition Act will come into force on 1 June 2021. While the primary purpose of adoption of the new legislation is the transposition of Directive 2019/1 to empower the competition authorities of the Member States to be more effective enforcers and to ensure the proper (...)

The Serbian Competition Authority publishes its new guidelines on notification deadlines for mergers during the COVID-19 crisis
Karanovic & Partners (Belgrade)
Serbia 1 contribution 179 visits
,
Karanovic & Partners (Belgrade)
Serbia 1 contribution 179 visits
The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Merger Control Matters in Western Balkans* The COVID-19 pandemic has been heavily affecting economies and countries across the globe. In such circumstances, ensuring the undisturbed work of the competition authorities is difficult, but important in order to (...)

The French, German and Polish Ministries for Economic Affairs publish a joint paper on the modernisation of EU competition policy focusing on merger control
Court of First Instance of Namur (Namur)
Belgique 224 contributions 47457 visites
In their call for changes to EU merger control and State aid rules, the French and German Ministries for Economic Affairs have been joined by their Polish counterpart. On 4 July 2019, they published a joint paper (available here) containing a number of suggestions for a reform of competition (...)

The Estonian Competition Authority announces the postponement of merger between the Lithuanian gas market and the single entry tariff zone of Finland, Estonia and Latvia
Estonian Competition Authority (Tallinn)
Estonia 12 contributions 1554 visits
Postponement of FinEstLat and Lithuanian gas market merge* On 1 January 2020, the single entry tariff zone of Finland, Estonia and Latvia (FinEstLat) started operating. The merger of FinEstLat means the linking of the Finnish, Estonian and Latvian markets, removing the internal tariffs in (...)

State Aid

 The EU Commission approves a €2B Hungarian scheme aimed at providing investment support for sustainable recovery
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves €2 billion Hungarian investment support scheme towards a sustainable recovery* The European Commission has approved a €2 billion Hungarian scheme aimed at providing investment support towards a sustainable recovery. The scheme was approved under the State aid (...)

The EU Commission approves a 2022-2027 regional aid map for Romania
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Romania* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Romania’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised Regional aid Guidelines (’RAG’). The (...)

The EU Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Latvia
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Latvia* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Latvia’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised Regional aid Guidelines (’RAG’). The (...)

The EU Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Bulgaria
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Bulgaria* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Bulgaria’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised Regional aid Guidelines (’RAG’). The (...)

The EU Commission approves the 2022-2027 regional aid map for Lithuania
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Lithuania* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Lithuania’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised Regional aid Guidelines(’RAG’). The (...)

The EU Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Croatia
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Croatia* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Croatia’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027 within the framework of the revised Regional aid Guidelines (‘RAG’). The (...)

The EU Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Estonia
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Estonia* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Estonia’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised Regional aid Guidelines (‘RAG’). The (...)

The EU Commission approves the 2022-2027 regional aid map for Poland
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Poland* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Poland’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised Regional aid Guidelines (“RAG”). The (...)

The EU Commission approves a 2022-2027 regional aid map for Slovakia
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Slovakia* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Slovakia’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027. The Slovak regional aid map is among the first maps approved by the (...)

The EU Commission approves a 2022-2027 regional aid map for Hungary
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Hungary* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Hungary’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027. The Hungarian regional aid map is among the first maps approved by the (...)

The EU Commission approves Czechia’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Czechia* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Czechia’s map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027. The Czech regional aid map is the first map approved by the Commission within (...)

The Serbian Government publishes rules on regional State aid for further alignment of the legislation with the EU’s acquis
BDK (Podgorica)
Montenegro 17 contributions 1496 visits
The Government of Serbia adopted on 11 March 2021 two new bylaws under the State Aid Control Act (Zakon o kontroli državne pomoći, Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia no. 73/2019): the Regulation on Conditions and Criteria for Compliance of Regional State Aid (Uredba o uslovima i (...)

The EU Commission approves a €2B Slovenian State aid scheme including a dozen of measures to support companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves €2 billion Slovenian “umbrella” scheme to support the economy in coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved a €2 billion Slovenian State aid scheme to support the Slovenian economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was (...)

The EU Commission approves a €700M Polish State aid scheme to support companies including the agricultural and fishery sectors that are affected by the COVID-19 outbreak
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves €700 million Polish aid scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved a €700 million scheme to support the Polish economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The support measures available under (...)

The EU Commission approves a €4M Croatian State aid scheme to support fishery and aquaculture companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves €4 million Croatian direct grant scheme to support fishery and aquaculture sector in coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved an HRK 30 million (approximately €4 million) Croatian scheme to support the fishery and aquaculture sector in Croatia (...)

The EU Commission approves a €88M Hungarian State aid scheme to support companies’ researchers and developers during the COVID-19 outbreak
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves €88 million Hungarian aid scheme supporting researchers and developers in all sectors affected by coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved a HUF 31.5 billion (approximately €88 million) Hungarian wage subsidies support scheme for researchers (...)

The EU Commission approves a €1B Hungary State aid scheme to support companies through direct grants, loans, and equity measures during the COVID-19 outbreak
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves €1 billion Hungarian aid scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved a HUF 350 billion (approximately €1 billion) scheme to support the Hungarian economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The (...)

The EU Commission approves a €255M Bulgarian State aid scheme to support small enterprises during the COVID-19 crisis
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves €255 million Bulgarian guarantee scheme to support SMEs in coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved a Bulgarian BGN 500 million (approx. €255 million) public guarantee scheme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context (...)

The EU Commission approves a €110M Lithuanian State aid scheme to support the national economy during the COVID-19 outbreak
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1362 contributions 2929469 visits
State aid: Commission approves €110 million Lithuanian guarantee scheme to support economy in coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved a €110 million Lithuanian aid scheme to support the Lithuanian economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved (...)

The Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities drafts a measure which aims to retain jobs by protecting employees and, at the same time, assisting the affected companies during the COVID-19 outbreak
CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz (Ljubljana)
Slovenia 2 contributions 263 visits
This Monday, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave the green light to EU member governments to discuss and adopt state aid rules aimed to assist companies impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. State aid should only be used when it is the appropriate tool to benefit the (...)

Procedures

 The Lithuanian Competition Authority updates the fine-setting procedure by improving the incentive to cooperate with the Competition Authority during infringement investigations
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
PROCEDURE FOR SETTING FINES FOR COMPETITION LAW INFRINGEMENTS HAS BEEN IMPROVED* Today the Lithuanian Government adopted a resolution approving the description of the procedure for setting fines for infringements of the Law on Competition. A more detailed regulation of the methodology for (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority changes the procedure for the calculation of fines for infringements of competition law
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
Changes to the procedure for determining fines applicable by the CC* On August 26, 29.03.2016. amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers regulation No. 179 " Procedures for Determining a Fine for the Infringements Provided for in Section 11, Paragraph One, Sections 13 and 14.1 of the (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority publishes guidance for the calculation and recovery of damages arising from violations of competition law
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24534 visits
The Competition Council has developed a methodological material for the calculation of damages and recovery of damages for violation of competition law* The Competition Council (the CC) has prepared methodological material for the calculation of losses and recovery of losses for violation (...)

The Polish Competition Authority publishes its guidelines on the rules for imposing and calculating fines for companies breaching competition law
Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3079 visits
,
Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3079 visits
Earlier this year the Polish Competition Authority (“UOKiK”) published its guidelines on the rules of imposing and calculating fines for companies breaching competition law (the “New Guidelines”) replacing guidelines issued in 2015. According to the New Guidelines, to determine the amount of (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority updates rules on immunity from fines and adopts rules on cooperation with EU counterparts
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
Lithuanian Competition Authority updates rules on immunity from fines or their reduction and adopts rules on cooperation with EU counterparts* In relation to the amendments to the Law on Competition adopted by the Seimas, today the Lithuanian competition authority Konkurencijos taryba has (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority publishes an explanatory note clarifying its dawn raids procedure
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
Konkurencijos Taryba Publishes Explanatory Note on Inspections Performed at Business Premises* The Lithuanian competition authority Konkurencijos taryba has prepared an explanatory note for companies and their lawyers to give more clarity on the procedures of the inspections carried out at (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority operates under a state of emergency and follows a new regime during the COVID-19 crisis
Druzhestvo Stoyanov & Tsekova in cooperation with Schoenherr (Sofia)
Bulgaria 2 contributions 263 visits
CPC activity during COVID-19 crisis* On 13 March 2020 the government declared a national state of emergency as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The state of emergency is currently in force until 13 May. This article outlines the impact of this declaration on Commission for Protection (...)

The Czech Competition Authority adopts several measures related to the social and economic consequences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
Dentons (Prague)
Czech Republic 14 contributions 3316 visits
,
Bird & Bird (Prague)
Czech Republic 25 contributions 4446 visits
Like many other public authorities, the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (the Office) has adopted several measures related to the social and economic consequences caused by COVID-19. In order to minimize personal contact, the Office has limited public access to the Office’s (...)

The Czech Competition Authority clarifies competition law enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
Czech Republic 49 contributions 6617 visits
COMPETITION LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING THE CRISIS CAUSED BY COVID-19 DISEASE* Countries around the globe are currently facing an unprecedented crisis caused by pandemic of the Covid-19 disease, which causes both health and economic difficulties. The Office is aware of the fact that in these (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority switches all operations to telework, suspends all hearings, and asks new merging parties to consider postponing their mergers as measures due to COVID-19 outbreak
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 95 contributions 19785 visits
Information on the operation of the Hungarian Competition Authority due to the situation of the pandemic* Dear Clients and Colleagues, We would like to inform you that due to the state of emergency (State of Emergency) declared by the Government Decree 40/2020 (III.11.) on 11 March 2020, (...)

The Polish Supreme Court confirms a telecommunications company breached competition rules by delaying a dawn raid but reduces the fine (T.S.A)
Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3079 visits
,
Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3079 visits
On 10 September 2019, the Polish Supreme Court issued a landmark judgement in which it clarified the applicable rules during a company inspection by the Polish Competition and Consumer Protection Office (UOKiK). As the UOKiK regularly conducts (unannounced) company inspections (or ’dawn (...)

The Czech Competition Authority launches a public consultation and calls for all interested parties, in particular competitors, lawyers and academics, to provide their views and opinions on the transposition of the ECN+ directive
Bird & Bird (Prague)
Czech Republic 25 contributions 4446 visits
At the beginning of this year, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers issued Directive (EU) 2019/1 to "empower the competition authorities of the Member States to be more effective enforcers and to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market" (the "ECN+ Directive"). (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority publishes a communication on dawn raids
Bird & Bird (Budapest)
Hungary 18 contributions 2455 visits
,
Bird & Bird (Budapest)
Hungary 16 contributions 2203 visits
Dawn Raid Communication In early 2019, the GVH issued a communications on dawn raids, detailing the process, the regulatory background and the rights and obligations of the GVH and the undertakings subject to such dawn raid. The Dawn Raid Communication summarized the GVH’s practice in dawn (...)

The Serbian Competition Authority issues dawn raids guidelines
Karanovic & Partners (Belgrade)
Serbia 6 contributions 256 visits
On 25 May 2018, the Serbian Commission for the Protection of Competition (the “Commission“) has published a dawn raid guidance (“Guidance“) on its investigative powers, rights and duties of the parties during dawn raids and sanctions for obstructing dawn raids. Powers of investigation The (...)

The Montenegrin Administrative Court analyses procedural barriers to the efficient application of the Competition Act
BDK (Podgorica)
Montenegro 17 contributions 1496 visits
The record of public enforcement of competition law in Montenegro is modest, despite the efforts which the national Agency for Protection of Competition has put in various investigations. Part of the problem lies in the dysfunctional enforcement dualism. The Agency is competent to establish (...)

The Slovak Competition Authority calls for measures to increase banks’ clients’ mobility
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 220280 visits
AMO Calls for Measures to Increase Banks Clients´ Mobility* On 19 February 2015, the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (AMO) addressed the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and the National Bank of Slovakia to consider the adoption of the following measures aimed at (...)

The Czech Competition Authority publishes its first guidelines on fines in antitrust cases
Wolf Theiss (Prague)
Czech Republic 33 contributions 109937 visits
,
Czech Ministry of Justice (Prague)
Czech Republic 30 contributions 80900 visits
Presumably on 9 May 2007 (see below), the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition published its first guidelines on the method of setting fines on its website. Whereas it has been known for some time that some kind of guidelines were used by the Office to calculate fines, the latter (...)

Regulatory

 The Romanian Competition Authority recommends adoption of a new legislation to ensure a uniform regime for the authorisation of new renewable energy construction projects
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29328 visits
THE PROCESS OF AUTHORISING NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION CAPACITIES IS DIFFICULT AND TAKES A LONG TIME* The process of obtaining all the necessary permits to commission new renewable energy production capacities is difficult and takes a long time, although some steps have been taken to (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority welcomes the amendments to the national competition law
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
AMENDMENTS TO THE LITHUANIAN COMPETITION LAW HAS BEEN ADOPTED* Today, the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, the Seimas, approved amendments to the Law on Competition, which aim to create conditions for more effective enforcement of competition and state aid rules in Lithuania. Among (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority recommends competition-friendly regulations for taxi services in Budapest
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 95 contributions 19785 visits
Instead of Drastic Price Hikes, the GVH Recommends Competition-friendly Regulations for the Capital City, which is Preparing to Make Taxi Services More Expensive* 13 April 2022, Budapest – The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) is proposing to the Capital City to stimulate competition (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority requests the relaxation of legislation on the setting up of veterinary medical clinics and accounting firms
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29328 visits
THE COMPETITION COUNCIL REQUIRES THE AMMENDMENTS OF THE LEGISLATION ON SETTING UP OF VETERINARY MEDICAL CLINICS AND ACCOUNTING FIRMS* The conditions for set-up and functioning of both veterinary clinics and accounting firms are more restrictive than those for human health medical centers and (...)

The Croatian Parliament adopts a revised Unfair Trading Practices Act which is fully harmonized with the EU Directive 2019/633
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
CROATIA ADOPTS REVISED UNFAIR TRADING PRACTICES ACT 2021 FULLY HARMONIZED WITH EU DIRECTIVE 2019/633* For the purpose of bringing its legal framework in the area of unfair trading practices in business-to-business relations in the agricultural and food supply chain into compliance with the (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority announces a public consultation on the amendments to the FDI screening regime
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
Chine 284 contributions 226183 visites
National competition authorities and FDI screening: the case of Romania* EU FDI Screening Regulation: separating security from competition The Regulation 2019/452 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union (EU FDI Screening Regulation) was (...)

The Polish Government amends the foreign investment screening regime to implement the EU FDI screening regulation
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
Chine 284 contributions 226183 visites
National competition authorities and FDI screening: the case of Poland* Regulation 2019/452 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union (EU FDI Screening Regulation) was adopted on 19 March 2019 and will enter into force on 11 October 2020. Its (...)

The Polish Government amends the national foreign investments control scheme and obliges investors from outside the EEA or from non-OECD countries to notify their transaction
Hansberry Tomkiel (Warsaw)
Poland 6 contributions 1181 visits
LEAD: Pursuant to the recently amended Polish rules on the control of investments, the Polish Competition Authority (UOKiK) is empowered to review intended investments in Polish companies by investors who are: i) from outside of the European Economic Area, or ii) from non-OECD countries. Such (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority issues findings from its study on the impact of the collaborative economy on the competitive environment and the competition policy
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29328 visits
The Development of the Collaborative Economy and the Relaxation of Market Access Conditions for Traditional Service Providers Leads to the Improvement of Competition* The Coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated once again that digitalization, increasing the importance of platforms, (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority suggests to the Government stricter liability for major retailers’ unfair practices with suppliers
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20819 visits
Konkurencijos Taryba Suggests Stricter Liability For Major Retailers‘ Unfair Practices To Suppliers* After conducting the monitoring of the implementation of the Law on the Prohibition of Unfair Practices of Retailers (Law), in its report provided to the Government the Lithuanian competition (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority considers certain draft amendments to the Bulgarian Food Law to be anticompetitive
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 220280 visits
Draft amendments in the Food law restrict competition* On 28 February 2017 the Commission on Protection of Competition (CPC) adopted an advocacy opinion on draft amendments in the Food law. The CPC reckons that the introduction of provisions that regulate the usage of the word “Bulgarian” (...)

The Estonian Competition Authority issues a proposal on the establishment of pharmacies and the prohibition of connection with wholesale sellers of medicinal products
Estonian Competition Authority (Tallinn)
Estonia 12 contributions 1554 visits
New restrictions on establishment of pharmacies significantly harm free competition* The Estonian Competition Authority made a proposal for revision of the pharmacist-owner requirement and the prohibition of connection with wholesale sellers to medicinal products, and for annulment of the (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority carries out a legal analysis of the legislative framework regulating road safety and the criteria prescribed for setting an adequate number of driving schools in the country
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19932 visits
The limitation of the number of driving schools in unwelcome in the sense of competition rules* The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) carried out a legal analysis of the legislative framework regulating the road safety and the criteria prescribed for setting an adequate number of driving (...)