Competition weekly news summary
6 November 2015

Conferences/Speeches

  • "One year on: Reflections on the foundations of EU competition policy"
    International Chamber of Commerce, Copenhagen, Margrethe Vestager
    5 November 2015
    "I see it as my duty to reinforce EU competition enforcement tools and instruments. The Commission works hand in hand with national competition authorities and the system gives good results. Indeed, 85 per cent of almost a thousand antitrust decisions adopted since 2004 were adopted at Member State level. But national authorities could be better equipped to investigate and sanction infringements of EU antitrust law. [...] Over the last decade, there have been several attempts to empower the national competition authorities with soft-law measures. I believe the time has come for a proper EU legislative initiative to improve the situation and to ensure that our national competition authorities can be even better enforcers."
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Antitrust

  • Commission consults on boosting enforcement powers of national competition authorities
    4 November 2015
    The European Commission is inviting comments on whether national competition authorities in EU Member States should be given additional tools to enforce EU antitrust rules.
    Read more >
  • Commission sends statement of objections to suspected participants in electrolytic capacitors cartel
    4 November 2015
    The European Commission has informed ten manufacturers of electrolytic capacitors that it suspects them of having participated in a cartel, in breach of EU antitrust rules. Electrolytic capacitors are used to store electrical energy, for example to smooth the output of power supplies and to activate camera flashes. They are used in virtually all electronic products, from televisions to games consoles and mobile phones.
    Read more >

State Aid

  • Commission approves two schemes aimed at encouraging investment in innovative SMEs
    5 November 2015
    The European Commission has concluded that two schemes planned by France with the aim of facilitating investment in innovative small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) are in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission found, in particular, that the two schemes remedy a genuine market failure without unduly distorting competition in the single market.
    Read more >

 

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Published by the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for the use which might be made of the above information.

© European Union, 2015. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

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