The Chairman of the Office Held Talks with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commisssion Margrethe Vestager
The topics of the discussion were, for example, information on the progress of the transposition of the directive on strengthening the powers of competition authorities, the so-called ECN+ Directive, which has not yet been implemented in the Czech Republic because the proposed amendment to the Act on the Protection of Competition had not been discussed by the previous Chamber of Deputies. The Office is therefore currently preparing a new legislative draft proposal.
The chairman Petr Mlsna also informed the Commissioner about the successes of the Office for the Protection of Competition in fighting bid rigging cartels, i.e. agreements between tenderers for public contracts. In this context, the Office benefits from the fact that it also has supervision of public procurement within its competence and can therefore better obtain relevant information. Several measures and State aid schemes which the Czech Republic, through the Office for the Protection of Competition, has notified to the European Commission for approval were also thoroughly discussed. State aid has to be assessed and approved by the European Commission before it can be granted in the Member States of the European Union. For example, the European Commission is currently assessing State aid for the so-called " Kurzarbeit ", postal service providers and the electricity sector.
Last but not least, the Chairman of the Office informed Ms. Vestager about the preparations for the Czech Presidency in the Council of the European Union, which will take place in the second half of 2022. In the area of competition, the Czech Presidency is currently expected to cover issues such as the regulation of digital markets, subsidies from third countries distorting the single market and collective bargaining of self-employed persons.
Press Unit of the Office for the Protection of Competition
21/165
2024-04-23 / EP ENERGY TRADING Infringed Competition Act by Early Implementation of Merger With Gazela Energy The Office for the Protection of Competition (the Office) imposed a fine of CZK 18,840,000 on the undertaking EP ENERGY TRADING. for concluding a concentration between undertakings prior to the notification...
2024-04-18 / Sector Inquiry on Waste Management The Office for the Protection of Competition (the Office) has initiated a large-scale sector inquiry focused on waste management. Over the next two years, the Office shall obtain information from all...
2024-04-09 / Zásilkovna will share pick-up points thanks to the intervention of the Office, more options for consumers The Office for the Protection of Competition (“the Office”) accepted commitments from an undertaking Zásilkovna s.r.o. consisting of an amendment to the contractual terms and conditions concluded...
2024-04-05 / Fine of CZK 8 million for Another Pet Food Distributor Forbiding Lower Prices By the first-instance decision, the Office for the Protection of Competition (“the Office”) imposed a fine of CZK 8,656,000 on the undertaking Dibaq a.s. for entering into prohibited agreements on...
2024-04-03 / The Office Imposed a Fine of CZK 72 million on Distributor of Moulinex, Rowenta, Krups and Tefal Products The Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as “the Office”) imposed a fine of CZK 72 333 000 on the undertaking Groupe SEB ČR s.r.o. for prohibited agreements on resale...
2024-02-13 / The Office Imposed a Record Fine of CZK 125 million on ELECTROLUX for Anticompetitive Conduct The Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as “the Office”) punished the undertaking ELECTROLUX, by imposing a fine of CZK 125 404 000 for long-term anticompetitive conduct...
2024-01-19 / The Office Will Share Its Experience Using the DATACROS Tool The results of the Datacros II project, which focuses on investigating corruption, organised and financial crime using innovative techniques, will be presented on Tuesday 30 January 2024 through a public...
2024-01-16 / The Office presented a number of possibble legislative proposals to support Efficient competition The Office for the Protection of Competition drafted a proposal of possible legislative changes. The purpose of such amendments is to increase the effectiveness of the Office, in particular the detection...
