09.07.2014, Brussels. The commission published a message, which shows in which areas the enforcement of the antitrust rules could be even more improved through the national competition authorities. Since 2004 (VO 1/2003) the commission, as well as the national competition authorities, are authorized to enforce the EU competition regulations. In the meantime ten years have passed.
Based on the implementation procedures so far, the commission wants to further expand the position and the equipment of the national competition authorities.
Therefore, the commission carries out especially:
- The independence of the national competition authorities in the fulfillment of their duties should be secured better and sufficient resource equipment should be provided.
- The national competition authorities should be equipped with comprising effective investigation and decision authority.
- Effective and adequate fines, as well as well-designed leniency programs should be followed in all member states; furthermore, measures should be taken so that companies waive the request for leniency when it can be avoided.
The message can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/antitrust/legislation/swd_2014_231_en.pdf
Further information can be found at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-800_de.htm
Already on 03.06.2014 the EU commission recommended that "Austria endows the national competition authority with significantly better resources for the period 2014 to 2015." (Page 8, point 4)http://www.bwb.gv.at/Documents/csr2014_austria_de.pdf