Bringing antitrust enforcement to the next level: A greater focus on consumers in competition policy and procedures

Competition law aims to protect consumers by ensuring fair market conditions, promoting choice and access, and stimulating lower prices and higher quality. The framework for the enforcement of those rules was adopted more than 20 years ago and was designed for traditional market structures. 

The announced review of EU Regulation 1/2003 provides an opportunity to enhance the effectiveness of competition enforcement, while ensuring that consumers’ wellbeing and interests remain at the centre of competition law and policies. In today’s market characterised by rapid technological developments, we consider it important to strengthen the enforcement of competition law and review the tools authorities have at their disposal. 

Our position paper provides a summary of our key recommendations shared with the Commission for faster and more coherent antitrust enforcement with a stronger focus on consumers in competition policy.