EU: EC proposes to make national competition authorities even more effective enforcers
EU antitrust regulators outlined a proposal on Wednesday aimed at giving national watchdogs in the 28-country bloc more power to crack down on anti-competitive practices and also ward off political interference.
The move by the European Commission came after a study it commissioned found shortcomings in the way competition agencies were equipped and structured, preventing them from doing their work effectively.
Antitrust experts say the EU enforcer was also concerned by the ousting of several high level officials at some national agencies by their governments in the last two years.
“We want all national competition authorities to be able to take decisions fully independently and have effective tools at their disposal to stop and sanction infringements,” European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.
The proposal also aims to ensure that national agencies have the necessary funding and staff, and the right to search mobile phones, laptops and tablets for evidence of wrongdoing.
The Commission’s study showed that Austria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Sweden and Slovakia, for example, have limited powers in this respect.
Full Content: Europa
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Apple Rejects Spotify’s Updated App Over In-App Pricing Disclosure
Apr 25, 2024 by
CPI
FCC Set to Reinstate Net Neutrality Rules Today
Apr 25, 2024 by
CPI
Chamber of Commerce Sues to Overturn FTC Non-Compete Ban
Apr 24, 2024 by
CPI
FTC Chief Warns of Healthcare Price Fixing Risks Amid Tech Advancements
Apr 24, 2024 by
CPI
Amazon’s Investment in Anthropic Faces Antitrust Scrutiny
Apr 24, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI