Joint statement by the European Competition Network (ECN) on application of competition law during the Corona crisis

(Last update: 24 March 2020)

The European competition authorities and the EU Commission are taking account of the special circumstances of the Corona crisis. Here are the key points of the joint statement:

• Temporary co-operations between competitors in order to ensure the supply and fair distribution of scarce products do not violate antitrust law.
• ECN authorities will not actively intervene against necessary and temporary measures put in place in order to avoid a shortage of supply.
• However, authorities will intervene against companies taking advantage of the current situation by cartelising or abusing their dominant position.
• Manufacturers can set maximum prices for their products. This shall prevent unjustified price increase at the distribution level

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