Fair Competition in Europe

Agreements between companies, abuse of a dominant position, mergers, cartels and excessive public assistance can, if not controlled and sanctioned, totally distort competition within the European Union's internal market. That is why the European Commission has been charged by the Member States closely watch and sanction practices which hinder free trade. In April 1999, it published a White Paper which proposes the reduction, decentralisation and simplification of declaration procedures carried out by companies.