Competition Policy in the EU

Latest business news about the Competition policy of the European Union.

The EU's Competition Policy is about applying rules to make sure that companies compete with each other and innovate and offer good prices to consumers. The European Commission is responsible for Europe as a whole. It keeps an eye on companies to make sure they don't club together to share the market between them or don't act in a way to exclude would-be competitors. If they step out of line then it can impose considerable fines on them which can be up to 10% of their turnover.

FACT SHEETS

EC Competition Contacts

LATEST NEWS

EU backs Dutch aid to AFN AMRO, Fortis while extending probe — 08 February 2010, 15:29 CET

The EU competition watchdog on Monday temporarily approved a Dutch recapitalisation package for ABN AMRO and Fortis Bank Nederland (FBN), while extending its in-depth probe into state aid for the nationalised banks.

EU approves Swedish guarantee for loan to Saab — 08 February 2010, 15:29 CET

The EU's competition watchdog on Monday approved Swedish plans to act as guarantor for an European Investment Bank (EIB) to car-maker Saab.

Dexia announces sell-off deal to assuage EU over bailout — 05 February 2010, 20:47 CET

Franco-Belgian bank Dexia, rescued by a major bailout during the 2008 crisis, has agreed to slash its operations by over a third over the next four years in order to get EU approval for the public aid.

EU approves TenneT buyout of E.ON's German power lines — 05 February 2010, 12:22 CET

The EU's competition watchdog on Friday approved Dutch energy group TenneT's takeover of German rival E.ON's extra high-voltage distribution network in Germany, saying the deal posed no anti-trust threat.

Italy's ENI to sell gas pipelines to assuage EU — 04 February 2010, 17:27 CET

Italian energy group ENI announced Thursday it will sell its interests in three international gas pipelines to bring to end an EU probe over suspicions of abuse of its dominant market position.

EU asks WTO for sanctions against US — 04 February 2010, 00:08 CET

The European Union is seeking EUR 223 million in sanctions on US imports in retaliation against US anti-dumping measures, a document on the WTO website showed on Wednesday.

EU raids electrical equipment producers amid cartel fears — 04 February 2010, 11:43 CET

The EU competition watchdog says it has carried out raids on electrical equipment producers amid suspicions they have been running a cartel.

Brussels mulls anti-trust moves by BA, American, Iberia airlines — 01 February 2010, 11:23 CET

The EU is considering concessions made by British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia to alleviate competition concerns over their transatlantic tie-up.

EU clears Deutsche deal for Sal. Oppenheim — 29 January 2010, 19:17 CET

European regulators on Friday cleared a 1.0-billion-euro (1.39 billion dollars) deal for Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank to buy Sal. Oppenheim, a Luxembourg-based private banking group.

EU takes Italy to court over illegal aid to Sardinia hotels — 29 January 2010, 13:42 CET

The EU's competition watchdog decided Friday to take Italy to the European court over its failure to recover illegal aid from hotels in Sardinia.

Brussels drops probe into Ryanair Slovakia aid — 27 January 2010, 14:52 CET

European regulators on Wednesday dropped a near two-year probe into state aid offered to Ryanair in Slovakia, saying the Irish low-cost carrier secured "no advantage."

EU probes Greece over suspect farm payments — 27 January 2010, 14:17 CET

European regulators say they are investigating Greece amid suspicions that Athens has illegally subsidised farmers under the cover of natural hazards crop insurance payouts.

EU launches probe into state aid for Greek metal firm — 27 January 2010, 12:42 CET

The European Union's competition watchdog on Wednesday launched an in-depth probe into preferential electricity tariffs afforded to the Aluminium of Greece company.

EU greenlights Spanish movie-making state aid — 27 January 2010, 12:22 CET

European regulators on Wednesday gave their blessing to more than half a billion euros in Spanish state aid to support film production and distribution.

France tells EU it can oversee Renault plans: sources — 26 January 2010, 20:17 CET

France on Tuesday warned European regulators that its 15 percent public shareholding in Renault gives it the right to oversee the automaker's plans.

BHP, Rio to work with EU probe — 26 January 2010, 11:00 CET

Mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto said Tuesday they will cooperate with European regulators probing their proposed iron ore joint venture, which has also raised concerns in China.

EU backs British bank aid — 25 January 2010, 12:22 CET

The European Commission said Monday it had backed state aid offered by Britain to banks Bradford & Bingley and Dunfermline, ending its last two probes into assistance offered as part of London bank restructuring.

EU investigates mining giants Rio, BHP — 25 January 2010, 22:56 CET

European regulators announced a probe on Monday into Anglo-Australian mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, adding to pressure on the pair from the world's biggest importer China.

EU approves Oracle's bid for Sun Microsystems — 21 January 2010, 23:28 CET

Brussels regulators on Thursday approved US business software giant Oracle's bid for hardware and software vendor Sun Microsystems, saying the deal would not skew the market in Europe.

EU conditionally approves Agilent's buyout of Varian — 21 January 2010, 11:17 CET

The European Union's competition watchdog on Thursday approved US high-tech group Agilent Technologies' takeover of Varian Inc., a rival American maker of scientific instruments.

Renault seeks to reassure Sarkozy on French production — 16 January 2010, 23:30 CET

Renault chief Carlos Ghosn assured French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Saturday that production of the new Clio line would not be entirely transferred to Turkey as the government had feared.

Sarkozy to decide on Renault production abroad: minister — 15 January 2010, 13:02 CET

French President Nicolas Sarkozy will decide during a crucial meeting Saturday with Renault chief Carlos Ghosn whether the carmaker will be able to shift production to Turkey, a minister said.

EU regulators probe feeder-ship owners — 15 January 2010, 11:31 CET

EU competition regulators have launched a probe into an arrangement between shipowners which they suspect is driving up charter rates for certain kinds of vessels.

France defends car aid against EU suspicions — 15 January 2010, 11:31 CET

France defended itself on Friday against suspicions of trade protectionism by EU authorities over its efforts to stop French car maker Renault shifting production abroad.

EU demands patent papers in pharma probe — 12 January 2010, 18:09 CET

The European Union's competition regulator has demanded to see a "selected number" of patent deals reached by pharmaceutical companies as part of a probe into generic medicines.