Chairman Mlsna participated in DMA approval meeting of the COMPET Council
The Czech position on the legislative proposal under discussion was presented by Ms Martina Tauberová, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, with the presence of the Chairman of the Office. The Digital Market Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act are intended to be a breakthrough regulation of big companies in the digital sector. The EU Council approved the general approach concerning DMA unanimously. This represents a significant step forward in the legislative process, which will now continue through negotiations with the European Parliament.
The DMA proposal aims to ensure that large online platforms follow fair and non-discriminatory rules, which should benefit consumers and business users, including innovators and start-ups. It is a new ex ante regulation in the digital sector, aimed at responding to the specificities of this area, in particular to the fact that the large online platforms, which the regulation refers to as gatekeepers, are the ones who set the rules for entry into these markets. Possible solutions to the issues of digital markets are being considered and put into practice not only in the EU but also in other regions worldwide.
The DMA proposal seeks to ensure that there is uniform regulation within the EU in this area which should prevent fragmented application of rules across the Member States. The divergent application would lead, among other things, to unnecessary costs for the companies involved, which would ultimately have a negative impact on consumers due to the pass-through of these costs. That is why the European Commission is intended to have the primary competence to enforce the DMA rules.
During the discussions on the proposal, the debates were mainly focused on the obligations imposed on gatekeepers, with some Member States supporting the tightening of obligations or the introduction of new ones. The Czech Republic has taken a rather flexible stance on these issues and has sought to avoid "over-regulation" and excessive burdens on businesses operating in the internal market, which could lead to suppression of innovation or to reduction in the range of services offered and, as a result, to decrease in the welfare of consumers. The Czech Republic has also sought to ensure that the regulation does not affect medium-sized companies operating in this area, but that the obligations are addressed to all big players who are effectively acting as gatekeepers.
Press Unit of the Office
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...
2023-11-23 / Economic Experts Shared Their Knowledge with the Employees of the Office for the Protection of Competition Last week, the Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as "the Office") organised a lecture on competition economics within the framework of improving the qualification and...
