EU Competition Policy

You couldn't make it to the "Protecting Competition in a Changing World Workshop"? ❓ We've got you covered 📽 Here below you can watch the whole event and listen to the interesting debates of our three panels and their experts ⬇ 📺 https://lnkd.in/emfNbZiX 🗣 DG Competition hosted a half-day workshop, bringing together leading experts to discuss the Protecting Competition in a Changing World report on the evolution of competition in the EU over the past 25 years. 📃 This workshop aimed to build on the discussions from the launch conference and delve deeper into the report’s findings with contributions from top economic and legal minds. Download the Report on the evolution of competition in the EU over the past 25 years and related contributions here 👇 https://europa.eu/!YQrMdg #ProtectingCompetition #EUCompetition #Report #competiveness

This week, DG Competition and DG GROW organised the 5th technical meeting of the Joint European Forum for IPCEI 🤝 This meeting marked the first anniversary of the JEF-IPCEI, bringing Member States and the European Commission together to identify new IPCEIs and foster our cooperation 🎉 🔍 Fruitful exchanges took place on identifying potential new IPCEI candidates in the field of clean, digital, and nuclear technologies. Discussions followed an evidence-based 📃 approach, building on insights from Member States, from industry 🏭, academia 👩🏫, and other stakeholders. 💡 We also worked on streamlining the IPCEI process in particular by developing best practices at the national level and enhancing efficiency. What's next ❓ The JEF-IPCEI continues to work on identifying potential new IPCEI candidates and further improving the IPCEI process. A high-level meeting is planned for later in autumn. Learn more about IPCEIs here 👇 🔗 https://europa.eu/!xKKgwN #EUCompetition #IPCEI #EUStateAid #EuropeanCommission

🗨 "To foster EU competitiveness, merger control is not the issue, but rather part of the solution" 👇 This week, DG Competition's Guillaume Loriot participated in the Global Competition Review's Global Merger Control Conference in Brussels 🗣 Here are the key messages ✨ ⬇ ⚖ Our core challenge? Finding the right balance in merger control - we must continue to evolve while not compromising on our foundations. 🚀 On the Illumina case, the root of our action was what is now a consensus: the existence of an “enforcement gap” linked to increasingly innovation-heavy industries, with start-up acquisitions falling below notification thresholds. 💡 Merger control must evolve to protect innovation competition. This is essential, whether in tech 👩💻 pharma 💊 or green industries 🌲 where non-price parameters are playing an increasingly crucial role. 📈 While some call for more lenient merger control to facilitate scaling up, the focus should remain on market power, not size. EU merger control isn't about 'big is bad' - it's about preserving competition while enabling growth. 💪 Stronger competition drives productivity, investment, and innovation. As Mr. Draghi noted, it's not about picking winners but fostering the conditions for European competitiveness. As we go further, we will explore all options, as the killer acquisition issue continues to be very much a live one. #EUMergerControl #GCRLive #GCRLiveGlobalMergerControl #MergerControl

🔴 The EU Commission approves Eiffage's acquisition of EQOS subject to conditions ✔ The Commission's investigation showed that the merger, as initially notified, would have reduced competition in the Belgian market for the installation and maintenance of railway catenaries. In particular: 1️⃣ The two companies have large market shares and compete frequently with each other in calls for tenders 🎖 ; 2️⃣ This market has significant barriers to entry and expansion 🚧 👍 To address the Commission's competition concerns, the parties offered to divest EQOS Belgium in its entirety, including all assets, personnel and ongoing and future contracts of both its catenaries and track businesses. ➡ As a result, EQOS Belgium will remain an independent competitor to Eiffage in the relevant market. ✅ These commitments fully address the competition concerns All information can be found at the link below 👇 🔗 https://europa.eu/!WFCtTv #EUCompetition #EUMergerControl #Mergers #Railway

🔴 The European Commission concludes that the social network "X" should not be designated under the Digital Markets Act 👇 🔍 This decision after an in-depth market investigation launched in May 2024 📅 following the notification by X of its status as a potential Gatekeeper. ℹ Along with the notification, X has also submitted rebuttal arguments, explaining why it should not be considered an important gateway between businesses and consumers. ✔ Following a thorough assessment of all arguments, including input by relevant stakeholders 🗣, and after consulting the 👂 Digital Markets Advisory Committee, the Commission concluded that X does not qualify as a gatekeeper concerning its online social networking service. The Commission will continue to monitor the digital market and any subsequent changes that may arise. All information at the link below ⬇ 🔗 https://europa.eu/!4qhY9f EU Digital & Tech #EUCompetition #DMA #DigitalMarketsAct #X #Gatekeeper

How has competition evolved over the past 25 years, and why does it matter for prices, investment, productivity, competitiveness, and growth❓ 🗣 In his opening remarks at the Protecting Competition workshop, DG Competition’s Olivier Guersent addressed the key questions our report aims to answer. 🗨 "We initiated this study after research began indicating that competition may have weakened over the last two decades, contributing to lower investment, declining productivity growth, greater inequality, and reduced overall economic growth." Three key insights from our report 🔑 ✨ 📌 Competition matters – not only for prices but also for driving productivity, competitiveness, and growth. 📌 Competition in the EU has generally weakened compared to previous years. 📌 The EU must identify ways to strengthen dynamic competition and stimulate investment. All information about the workshop ⬇ 🔗 https://europa.eu/!PrmHD9 A recording of the event will be published here above 📽 Here directly to our Report  🔗 https://europa.eu/!YQrMdg #EUCompetition #ProtectingCompetition #Report #Competitiveness

Last days before the ‘Protecting Competition in a Changing World’ Workshop ❗ Come and join us 👇 📅 15 October 2024, 14:00-17:30 📍 Karel van Miert Auditorium, Directorate-General for Competition 🗣 Be part of the discussions on potential implications for the future of competition policy of the findings from our report published on 24 June 2024 📃 The report has been referenced in numerous publications, including the Draghi Report from 9 September. For registrations and additional information ⬇  🔗 https://europa.eu/!PrmHD9 To the report ⬇  🔗 https://europa.eu/!YQrMdg #EUCompetition #ProtectingCompetition #Workshop

🔴 The European Commission and the Swiss Competition Commission COMCO close preliminary investigation into alleged patent-related abuse by Novartis 👇 🔍 The investigation, conducted in close cooperation between the European Commission and COMCO, focused on Novartis' acquisition and enforcement of patents related to innovative treatments for a skin condition. 🤝 In September 2022, COMCO carried out unannounced inspections at Novartis’ premises, while the Commission formally requested comprehensive information and documentation from the company. 🛑 After analysing the collected evidence, both authorities concluded that there was insufficient basis to pursue the case further. ℹ The closure of a preliminary investigation does not imply that the behaviour under review complies with EU competition laws. More information ⬇  🔗 https://lnkd.in/e57dqcuU #EUCompetition #Investigation #Novartis #Medicine #EUSwitzerland

🔴 The European Commission has approved €1 billion Italian State aid scheme to support farmers affected by floods and landslides 👇 📩 Italy notified the Commission of its plans to introduce a €1 billion scheme to support companies active in the agricultural sector affected by the flood and landslide events in May 2023 in 📍 Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Marche. The scheme's objectives are to 🎯 📌 Support investments aimed at restoring agricultural production; 📌 Compensate companies active in primary agricultural product production, processing, and marketing. ✔ Following a thorough assessment, the Commission has approved the scheme, deeming it necessary, appropriate, and proportionate, as well as conducive to the development of economic activity. All information ⬇ 🔗 https://europa.eu/!WrjNnK #EUCompetition #EUStateAid #Agriculture #Italy #Floods

And here are the winners of the Protecting Competition in a Changing World Student challenge 🏆 Many insightful papers were submitted but four stood out among them all ✨ 👏 Congratulations to Valentin Ronchev, Sveva Rossi, Corentin Dubreucq-Perus, and Mateusz Mintzberg and a heartfelt thank you to all the students who participated in the competition❗ As part of the challenge, university students across the EU were invited to watch the "Protecting Competition in a Changing World" conference, select a panel, and answer the question: "What would you have said if you had been a speaker?" ❓ With such bright minds, the future of EU competition policy is in good hands 🎓 DG Competition and Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager look forward to welcoming the winners to Brussels this week 🗣 All information about the student challenge 👇 🔗 https://europa.eu/!xhGKBP The Protecting Competition Conference and the Report 📺 https://lnkd.in/guMBr-iN 📑 https://lnkd.in/gqepvXw2 #EUCompetition #Students #StudentChallenge #ProtectingCompetition