On 30 June 2022, the EU institutions reached political agreement on a new regulation which will allow the European Commission to control non-EU government subsidies given to businesses active in the EU (the “Regulation”).
CMA’s Approach to Online Choice Architecture
Introduction
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has recently published a Discussion Paper and accompanying Evidence Review on “Online Choice Architecture” (OCA). This provides a helpful overview of the CMA’s approach to analysing choice architecture, recognising that some practices are likely to be harmful to consumers but others may be beneficial.
CMA to be Given New Powers to Enforce Consumer Law and Impose Significant Fines
The UK Government’s response to its consultations on ‘Reforming competition and consumer policy’ (April 2022) confirmed the Government’s proposals to give the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enhanced consumer law enforcement powers.
European Commission Seeks Feedback on Antitrust Procedural Framework
On June 30, 2022, the European Commission (“EC”) launched a public consultation seeking feedback on the performance of Regulation 1/2003[1] and Regulation 773/2004[2] (the “Regulations”), which govern the enforcement procedure of EU antitrust law.[3] Interested parties are invited to provide comments by October 6, 2022.
Australia Plus Plus? CMA and Ofcom Publish Advice on Platforms and Publishers
Background
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and telecoms regulator (Ofcom) recently published a joint paper setting out their advice to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on new rules for digital platforms’ use of publishers’ content.
The Proposed Widening Scope of UK Merger Control
The UK Government’s responses to its consultations on ‘Reforming competition and consumer policy’ (April 2022) and ‘A new pro-competitive regime for digital markets’ (May 2022) included three proposals to amend or add jurisdictional or reporting criteria for the UK merger control regime. These would give the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) oversight of a wider range of mergers if implemented.
Vestager 2: What’s Going on in EU Antitrust Enforcement
In her second term as EU Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager’s focus to date has been on securing approval for the
European Commission To Phase-Out COVID-19 Temporary Framework
On May 12, 2022, the Commission announced that it will phase out the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak.
UK Government Confirms Plans for Digital Markets Regulatory Regime
Updated on May 10, 2022
The UK Government has published its response to the consultation on a new regulatory regime for digital markets on May 6, 2022.
The Italian Competition Authority Fines Ferry Operator For Excessive Pricing
The Italian Competition Authority (the “ICA”) fined ferry operator Caronte & Tourist (“C&T”) €3.7 million for having charged excessive prices on a ferry transportation route between Sicily and Calabria between 2017 and 2019 (the “Decision”).