What antitrust laws are specific to the EU?
The antitrust laws that are specific to the European Union are designed to ensure fair competition and the protection of consumers in the EU’s internal market. These laws are based on Article 101 and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which prohibit anti-competitive practices. The Article 101 prohibits unfair agreements between firms which restrict competition, while Article 102 prohibits behaviors by one or more firms which dominate a market and result in a dominant position. The EU’s competition laws also cover the abuse of a dominant market position, such as pricing and other behaviors that reduce competition in the marketplace. The European Commission is the main body responsible for ensuring that EU antitrust laws are followed and that competition is upheld. The Commission has the power to investigate anti-competitive activities, to impose fines on companies that break the law, and to require companies to change their practices to restore competition in the market. The European Merger Regulation, which is separate from the antitrust laws, is another set of rules that restrict mergers and acquisitions. The Merger Regulation applies to companies within the EU, as well as those outside of the EU which are active in the EU market. This regulation is designed to ensure that mergers and acquisitions do not create a dominant position in the market, and it also limits the ability of companies to merge or acquire other companies in the EU. The European Court of Justice is responsible for interpreting the EU’s competition laws, and it has the power to hear appeals against decisions made by the European Commission. The Court has the authority to impose fines and to declare certain practices illegal.
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