It is the task of other public authorities to proceed under other relevant legislation against deceptive but not competition distorting practices. Cartels, namely horizontal agreements between competing undertakings, and vertical restraints, mainly different types of distribution agreements, are dealt with the same legal instrument. Agreements restricting competition are forbidden, null and void, unless they fall within one of the exceptions set out in the Competition Act or are exempted on the basis of criteria laid down in the act. Exemptions can be granted individually or in the form of block exemption regulations. HCO can impose heavy fines and order the undertakings to terminate their practice if infringement of the Competition Act is proved.
Merger control is based on an obligatory preliminiary authorization system.
Decisions of HCO can be challenged before the Metropolitan Court. Other sources of law involve block exemption regulations of the government based on the Competition Act exempting certain categories of agreements from the prohibition. Furthermore, there are other pieces of legislation which are not part of the competition law in its strict sense but have provisions influencing competition. As far as unfair manipulation of consumers' choice is concerned it is important that as against the general rules of consumer protection law the Competition Act condemns only those groups of deceptions and unfair manipulations which may distort competition. It is the task of other public authorities to proceed under other relevant legislation against deceptive but not competition distorting practices.