62023TJ0142_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 19 March 2025 –Swenters v Commission
(Case T‑142/23)
(Competition – Agreements, decisions and concerted practices – Market for the extraction and supply of quartz sand – Decision rejecting a complaint – Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 – Obligation to state reasons – Obligation to examine all the relevant elements of fact of law – Interest of the Union)
1.
Competition – Administrative procedure – Examination of complaints – Decision of the Commission suspending the procedure – Discretion of the Commission – Limits – Statement of reasons for the decision to take no action – Scope – Judicial review
(Arts 101, 102 and 105(1) TFEU)
(see paragraphs 24-27)
2.
Competition – Administrative procedure – Examination of complaints – Determination of priorities by the Commission – Commission’s duty to adopt a decision as to the existence of an infringement – No such obligation – Account to be taken of the EU interest in investigating a case – Criteria for assessment – Discretionary power of the Commission – Limits – Obligation to examine the matters of fact and of law brought to its notice by the complainant – Judicial review – Scope
(Arts 101, 102 and 105(1) TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003; Commission Regulation No 773/2004, Art. 7)
(see paragraphs 34, 36-40, 50-58, 64, 70, 80, 81)
3.
Competition – Division of powers between the Commission and national competition authorities – Commission Notice on Cooperation within the Network of Competition Authorities – Right of undertakings to have their cases dealt with by a particular competition authority – No such right
(Arts 101 and 102 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003, Arts 4 and 5; Commission Notice 2004/C 101/04)
(see paragraphs 72, 75, 89, 90)
4.
Competition – EU rules – Application by the national competition authorities – Presumed capacity of those authorities to apply EU law
(Arts 101 and 102 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003)
(see paragraphs 73, 74)
5.
Competition – Administrative procedure – Examination of complaints – Decision of the Commission suspending the procedure – Discretion of the Commission – Taking into account of the existence of ongoing legal proceedings before the national courts – Whether permissible
(Arts 101, 102 and 105(1) TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003; Commission Notice 2004/C 101/04)
(see paragraphs 79-81, 91)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Ivo Swenters to pay the costs.