The Comeback of Sectoral Investigations: The Dutch and Belgian Competition Authority Announce Probes

Several European competition authorities – including in France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden – can conduct general or sectoral market investigations. 

By closely reviewing sectors that are not perceived to be functioning well, authorities seek to understand market conditions and evaluate whether anticompetitive practices may be contributing to the perceived issues.  Some authorities, such as the Austrian, Belgian, and Dutch, authorities, can merely make recommendations at the end of the investigation.  Others, including in Denmark, Germany, and Italy, have the power to subsequently impose conditions to resolve the identified market failures despite the absence of competition infringements.  

Continue reading on the Cleary Antitrust Watch blog