A Solution to the Problems? Regulation 1/2003 and the modernization of competition procedure
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Frank Montag
Abstract
On 16th December 2002 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No. 1/2003 on the implementation of rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty. This Regulation will not only replace the 40-year-old Regulation 17/ 62 but constitutes a radical reform of EC competition law enforcement. The purpose of this article is to analyse the basic principles of the new Regulation and the implications for current and future competition proceedings.
Abstract
Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16th December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty will replace Regulation 17/62 and the existing system of approval. Under the new enforcement regime, which will apply as from 1st May 2004, notifications by companies and exemption decisions by the European Commission are no longer possible. This reform is complemented by the decentralised enforcement of Articles 81 and 82 EC by the national competition authorities and courts as well as a convergence rule regarding the relationship between Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty and national competition laws, which will result in a strong harmonization of competition law within the Common Market. The analysis of the general principles of the new Regulation 1/2003 as provided for in Articles 1 to 3 reveals, however, that it does not provide sufficient solutions to all the problems of Regulation 17/62, which made the reform necessary. The requirements of legal and procedural certainty will oblige the Commission as well as national competition authorities to provide extensive informal guidance, at least for an interim period after 1st May 2004, and will require a higher level of scrutiny of competition enforcement by the European Court of Justice by means of preliminary rulings under Article 234 EC.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Aufsätze
- A Solution to the Problems? Regulation 1/2003 and the modernization of competition procedure
- Kaufmacht und Kartellrecht
- Beihilfenrechtliche Probleme des EG-Emissionsrechtehandels
- Entscheidungsbesprechungen
- Gemeinschaftsunternehmen nach dem „Ost-Fleisch“ Beschluss des BGH
- „Greenpeace“ und andere Beiladungsentscheidungen des OLG Dusseldorf
- Buchrezensionen
- Die Zulässigkeit vergabefremder Regelungen – Möglichkeiten und Grenzen einer politischen lnstrumentalisierung der Vergabe öffentlicher Auftrage
- lmmaterialgüterschutz in der Wettbewerbsordnung – eine grundlagenorientierte Untersuchung zum Kartellrecht des geistigen Eigentums
- Report .Tagungsbericht: X. St. Galler lnternationales Kartellrechtsforum IKF vom 24. und 25. April 2003
Articles in the same Issue
- Aufsätze
- A Solution to the Problems? Regulation 1/2003 and the modernization of competition procedure
- Kaufmacht und Kartellrecht
- Beihilfenrechtliche Probleme des EG-Emissionsrechtehandels
- Entscheidungsbesprechungen
- Gemeinschaftsunternehmen nach dem „Ost-Fleisch“ Beschluss des BGH
- „Greenpeace“ und andere Beiladungsentscheidungen des OLG Dusseldorf
- Buchrezensionen
- Die Zulässigkeit vergabefremder Regelungen – Möglichkeiten und Grenzen einer politischen lnstrumentalisierung der Vergabe öffentlicher Auftrage
- lmmaterialgüterschutz in der Wettbewerbsordnung – eine grundlagenorientierte Untersuchung zum Kartellrecht des geistigen Eigentums
- Report .Tagungsbericht: X. St. Galler lnternationales Kartellrechtsforum IKF vom 24. und 25. April 2003
