Policy field
Competition: Antitrust
Target group
All citizens, organisations and public authorities are welcome to contribute to the consultation.
Contributions are particularly sought from companies with business operations in the EU in all sectors of the economy, national authorities enforcing competition law, business associations, academics and legal professionals with expertise in applying EU competition law, economic consultancies, consumers associations.
Period of consultation
From 01.08.2024 to 31.10.2024
Objective of the consultation
Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU') prohibits dominant companies from engaging in abusive practices that are capable of excluding competitors from the market. This is one of the few areas of European competition law where no Guidelines clarify the application of the rules of the Treaty. However, the enforcement of Article 102 TFEU is key to ensuring that competition works effectively and that consumers can reap the benefits of competitive markets.
Against the background of market developments and the evolution of the EU Court’s case law, on 27 March 2023 the Commission launched the process leading to the adoption of guidelines on exclusionary abuses with a Call for Evidence. The replies to the Call for Evidence have been taken into account in the preparation of the draft Guidelines.
The draft Guidelines aim at reflecting the EU courts' case law on exclusionary abuses in light of the extensive experience gained by the Commission in the enforcement of Article 102 TFEU. This will help increasing legal certainty to the benefit of consumers, businesses and the national competition authorities and national courts.
Consultation documents
- Draft Guidelines on the application of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to abusive exclusionary conduct by dominant undertakings
- Press Release
Reference documents and other related consultations
- Call for Evidence of 27 March 2023
Contact details
Responsible service:
Directorate-General for Competition – Unit A1
Please always indicate the reference number in your correspondence: HT.100055 Guidelines on exclusionary abuses
e-mail: COMP-ARTICLE-102-GUIDELINES
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (COMP-ARTICLE-102-GUIDELINES[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
Postal address:
European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition
Antitrust Registry
1049 Bruxelles /Brussel
Belgique /België
View the contributions
Download the non-confidential replies to the consultation.
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