62020TJ0318_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber, Extended Composition) of 17 May 2023 – eins energie in sachsen v Commission
(Case T‑318/20) (
1
)
(Competition – Concentrations – German electricity market – Decision declaring the concentration compatible with the internal market – Action for annulment – Lack of standing – Lack of active participation – Inadmissibility)
1.
Judicial proceedings – Intervention – Objection of inadmissibility not raised by the defendant – Inadmissibility – Plea in law based on the applicant’s lack of standing to bring proceedings – Absolute bar to proceeding – To be considered of the Court’s own motion
(Statute of the Court of Justice, Arts 40, fourth para., and 53, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Arts 129 and 142(3))
(see paragraphs 19, 20)
2.
Action for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Measures of direct and individual concern to them – Direct concern – Criteria – Commission decision declaring a concentration compatible with the internal market – Action brought by an undertaking competing with the parties to the operation – Decision capable of bringing about an immediate change in the state of the relevant market – Direct concern to the applicant
(Art. 263, fourth para., TFEU)
(see paragraph 23)
3.
Action for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Measures of direct and individual concern to them – Individual concern – Criteria – Commission decision declaring a concentration compatible with the internal market – Action brought by an undertaking competing with the parties to the operation – Undertaking not having participated actively in the administrative procedure – No particular circumstances relating to effect on market position – Not individually concerned – Inadmissibility
(Art. 263, fourth para., TFEU)
(see paragraphs 24-32)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action as inadmissible;
2.
Orders eins energie in sachsen GmbH & Co. KG to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Commission, E.ON SE and RWE AG;
3.
Orders the Federal Republic of Germany to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 240, 20.7.2020.