Background
Regulation 1/2003 and its implementing regulation, Regulation 773/2004 (together, the “Antitrust Procedural Regulations”), constitute the current procedural framework for the application of EU antitrust rules, namely Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The Regulations have been in force for over 20 years. However, there have been changes to the economy in the last 20 years, including digitalisation, that have tested the existing tools and procedures that were designed for paper-based investigations. In addition, the experience of parallel enforcement of EU competition rules with national competition authorities, while overwhelmingly positive, may also benefit from certain improvements.
For the Regulations to remain fit for purpose, a legislative revision would be necessary to address the issues identified in the evaluation of the Regulations, which was completed in September 2024 with the publication of a staff working document. The impact assessment aims to explore policy options to address the issues identified in the evaluation, as well as other measures that could improve the effectiveness of the application of EU competition rules by simplifying the rules and reducing the burden for companies as long as this does not undermine the objectives of antitrust enforcement.
Call for evidence and public consultation
A Call for evidence and public consultation questionnaire were published on 10th July 2025. Click here to access the public consultation documents.
Target group
All citizens and organisations are welcome to contribute to the consultation.
Contributions are particularly sought from undertakings of different sizes and sectors, based in different EU Member States and beyond; business associations; consumer associations; law firms and lawyers with expertise in applying EU antitrust rules and procedures; public authorities; and academics.
Objective of the Consultation
The objective of the consultation is to collect in-depth and high quality evidence on the policy options for reform stemming from the results of the evaluation. The consultation aims to ensure that the experience and views of various stakeholders across the EU are reflected in the revision.
Contact Details
Responsible service:
Directorate-General for Competition – Unit A1
Please always indicate the reference number in your correspondence: HT.6033
e-mail: COMP-REG-1@ec.europa.eu
Postal address:
European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition
Unit A1
1049 Bruxelles /Brussel
Belgique /België
Results of Consultation and next steps
The results of the consultation will be published in a factual summary report to be published on this webpage after the consultation has closed. The summary of the results of the consultation will be annexed to the final Staff Working Document covering the revision.