European
Commission launches website on application of competition law during COVID-19
On
30 March 2020 the European Commission launched a dedicated website to give
guidance on the application of competition law in the context of the
coronavirus outbreak.
The
Commission accepts that business cooperation may be critical to ensure fair
distribution of essential goods and services and reduce the economic and social
effects of the pandemic. It points to a
joint statement by the ECN published last week on the approach of the European competition
authorities to the crisis.
The
Commission has also set up a dedicated mailbox
COMP-COVID-ANTITRUST@ec.europa.eu that can be used to seek informal guidance on
specific initiatives with an EU dimension.
Companies
seeking guidance must provide as much detail as possible on the initiative (the
firm(s), product(s) or service(s) concerned; the scope and set-up of the
cooperation; the aspects that may raise competition concerns; and an
explanation of the benefits of the cooperation, and why it is necessary and
proportionate).
The
Commission can only provide guidance on the compatibility of business initiatives
with EU competition law and not consumer protection law.
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