Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2002-12-16
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: competition policy, dominant position, economic concentration, infringement of EU law, merger control

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(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1/2003

of 16 December 2002

on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 83 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (3),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

In order to establish a system which ensures that competition in the common market is not
distorted, Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty must be applied effectively and uniformly in the Commu-
nity. Council Regulation No 17 of 6 February 1962, First Regulation implementing Articles 81 and
82 (*) of the Treaty (4), has allowed a Community competition policy to develop that has helped to
disseminate a competition culture within the Community. In the light of experience, however, that
Regulation should now be replaced by legislation designed to meet the challenges of an integrated
market and a future enlargement of the Community.

In particular, there is a need to rethink the arrangements for applying the exception from the prohi-
bition on agreements, which restrict competition, laid down in Article 81(3) of the Treaty. Under
Article 83(2)(b) of the Treaty, account must be taken in this regard of the need to ensure effective
supervision, on the one hand, and to simplify administration to the greatest possible extent, on the
other.

The centralised scheme set up by Regulation No 17 no longer secures a balance between those two
objectives. It hampers application of the Community competition rules by the courts and competi-
tion authorities of the Member States, and the system of notification it involves prevents the
Commission from concentrating its resources on curbing the most serious infringements. It also
imposes considerable costs on undertakings.

The present system should therefore be replaced by a directly applicable exception system in which
the competition authorities and courts of the Member States have the power to apply not only
Article 81(1) and Article 82 of the Treaty, which have direct applicability by virtue of the case-law
of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, but also Article 81(3) of the Treaty.

(1) OJ C 365 E, 19.12.2000, p. 284.
(2) OJ C 72 E, 21.3.2002, p. 305.
(3) OJ C 155, 29.5.2001, p. 73.
(*) The title of Regulation No 17 has been adjusted to take account of the renumbering of the Articles of the EC Treaty,
in accordance with Article 12 of the Treaty of Amsterdam; the original reference was to Articles 85 and 86 of the
Treaty.

(4) OJ 13, 21.2.1962, p. 204/62. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1216/1999 (OJ L 148, 15.6.1999,

p. 5).

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(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

In order to ensure an effective enforcement of the Community competition rules and at the same
time the respect of fundamental rights of defence, this Regulation should regulate the burden of
proof under Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty. It should be for the party or the authority alleging an
infringement of Article 81(1) and Article 82 of the Treaty to prove the existence thereof to the
required legal standard. It should be for the undertaking or association of undertakings invoking the
benefit of a defence against a finding of an infringement to demonstrate to the required legal stan-
dard that the conditions for applying such defence are satisfied. This Regulation affects neither
national rules on the standard of proof nor obligations of competition authorities and courts of the
Member States to ascertain the relevant facts of a case, provided that such rules and obligations are
compatible with general principles of Community law.

In order to ensure that the Community competition rules are applied effectively, the competition
authorities of the Member States should be associated more closely with their application. To this
end, they should be empowered to apply Community law.

National courts have an essential part to play in applying the Community competition rules. When
deciding disputes between private individuals, they protect the subjective rights under Community
law, for example by awarding damages to the victims of infringements. The role of the national
courts here complements that of the competition authorities of the Member States. They should
therefore be allowed to apply Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty in full.

In order to ensure the effective enforcement of the Community competition rules and the proper
functioning of the cooperation mechanisms contained in this Regulation, it is necessary to oblige
the competition authorities and courts of the Member States to also apply Articles 81 and 82 of the
Treaty where they apply national competition law to agreements and practices which may affect
trade between Member States. In order to create a level playing field for agreements, decisions by
associations of undertakings and concerted practices within the internal market, it is also necessary
to determine pursuant to Article 83(2)(e) of the Treaty the relationship between national laws and
Community competition law. To that effect it is necessary to provide that the application of national
competition laws to agreements, decisions or concerted practices within the meaning of Article
81(1) of the Treaty may not lead to the prohibition of such agreements, decisions and concerted
practices if they are not also prohibited under Community competition law. The notions of agree-
ments, decisions and concerted practices are autonomous concepts of Community competition law
covering the coordination of behaviour of undertakings on the market as interpreted by the
Community Courts. Member States should not under this Regulation be precluded from adopting
and applying on their territory stricter national competition laws which prohibit or impose sanc-
tions on unilateral conduct engaged in by undertakings. These stricter national laws may include
provisions which prohibit or impose sanctions on abusive behaviour toward economically depen-
dent undertakings. Furthermore, this Regulation does not apply to national laws which impose crim-
inal sanctions on natural persons except to the extent that such sanctions are the means whereby
competition rules applying to undertakings are enforced.

Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty have as their objective the protection of competition on the market.
This Regulation, which is adopted for the implementation of these Treaty provisions, does not
preclude Member States from implementing on their territory national legislation, which protects
other legitimate interests provided that such legislation is compatible with general principles and
other provisions of Community law. In so far as such national legislation pursues predominantly an
objective different from that of protecting competition on the market, the competition authorities
and courts of the Member States may apply such legislation on their territory. Accordingly, Member
States may under this Regulation implement on their territory national legislation that prohibits or
imposes sanctions on acts of unfair trading practice, be they unilateral or contractual. Such legisla-
tion pursues a specific objective,
irrespective of the actual or presumed effects of such acts on
competition on the market. This is particularly the case of legislation which prohibits undertakings
from imposing on their trading partners, obtaining or attempting to obtain from them terms and
conditions that are unjustified, disproportionate or without consideration.

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(10)

(11)

(12)

Regulations such as 19/65/EEC (1), (EEC) No 2821/71 (2), (EEC) No 3976/87 (3), (EEC) No 1534/
91 (4), or (EEC) No 479/92 (5) empower the Commission to apply Article 81(3) of the Treaty by
Regulation to certain categories of agreements, decisions by associations of undertakings and
concerted practices. In the areas defined by such Regulations, the Commission has adopted and may
continue to adopt so called ‘block’ exemption Regulations by which it declares Article 81(1) of the
Treaty inapplicable to categories of agreements, decisions and concerted practices. Where agree-
ments, decisions and concerted practices to which such Regulations apply nonetheless have effects
that are incompatible with Article 81(3) of the Treaty, the Commission and the competition authori-
ties of the Member States should have the power to withdraw in a particular case the benefit of the
block exemption Regulation.

For it to ensure that the provisions of the Treaty are applied, the Commission should be able to
address decisions to undertakings or associations of undertakings for the purpose of bringing to an
end infringements of Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty. Provided there is a legitimate interest in
doing so, the Commission should also be able to adopt decisions which find that an infringement
has been committed in the past even if it does not impose a fine. This Regulation should also make
explicit provision for the Commission's power to adopt decisions ordering interim measures, which
has been acknowledged by the Court of Justice.

This Regulation should make explicit provision for the Commission's power to impose any remedy,
whether behavioural or structural, which is necessary to bring the infringement effectively to an
end, having regard to the principle of proportionality. Structural remedies should only be imposed
either where there is no equally effective behavioural remedy or where any equally effective beha-
vioural remedy would be more burdensome for the undertaking concerned than the structural
remedy. Changes to the structure of an undertaking as it existed before the infringement was
committed would only be proportionate where there is a substantial risk of a lasting or repeated
infringement that derives from the very structure of the undertaking.

(13) Where, in the course of proceedings which might lead to an agreement or practice being prohibited,
undertakings offer the Commission commitments such as to meet its concerns, the Commission
should be able to adopt decisions which make those commitments binding on the undertakings
concerned. Commitment decisions should find that there are no longer grounds for action by the
Commission without concluding whether or not there has been or still is an infringement. Commit-
ment decisions are without prejudice to the powers of competition authorities and courts of the
Member States to make such a finding and decide upon the case. Commitment decisions are not
appropriate in cases where the Commission intends to impose a fine.

(1) Council Regulation No 19/65/EEC of 2 March 1965 on the application of Article 81(3) (The titles of the Regulations
have been adjusted to take account of the renumbering of the Articles of the EC Treaty, in accordance with Article
12 of the Treaty of Amsterdam; the original reference was to Article 85(3) of the Treaty) of the Treaty to certain cate-
gories of agreements and concerted practices (OJ 36, 6.3.1965, p. 533). Regulation as last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 1215/1999 (OJ L 148, 15.6.1999, p. 1).

(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2821/71 of 20 December 1971 on the application of Article 81(3) (The titles of the
Regulations have been adjusted to take account of the renumbering of the Articles of the EC Treaty, in accordance
with Article 12 of the Treaty of Amsterdam; the original reference was to Article 85(3) of the Treaty) of the Treaty
to categories of agreements, decisions and concerted practices (OJ L 285, 29.12.1971, p. 46). Regulation as last
amended by the Act of Accession of 1994.

(3) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3976/87 of 14 December 1987 on the application of Article 81(3) (The titles of the
Regulations have been adjusted to take account of the renumbering of the Articles of the EC Treaty, in accordance
with Article 12 of the Treaty of Amsterdam; the original reference was to Article 85(3) of the Treaty) of the Treaty
to certain categories of agreements and concerted practices in the air transport sector (OJ L 374, 31.12.1987, p. 9).
Regulation as last amended by the Act of Accession of 1994.

(4) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1534/91 of 31 May 1991 on the application of Article 81(3) (The titles of the Regula-
tions have been adjusted to take account of the renumbering of the Articles of the EC Treaty, in accordance with
Article 12 of the Treaty of Amsterdam; the original reference was to Article 85(3) of the Treaty) of the Treaty to
certain categories of agreements, decisions and concerted practices in the insurance sector (OJ L 143, 7.6.1991, p. 1).
(5) Council Regulation (EEC) No 479/92 of 25 February 1992 on the application of Article 81(3) (The titles of the Regu-
lations have been adjusted to take account of the renumbering of the Articles of the EC Treaty, in accordance with
Article 12 of the Treaty of Amsterdam; the original reference was to Article 85(3) of the Treaty) of the Treaty to
certain categories of agreements, decisions and concerted practices between liner shipping companies (Consortia) (OJ
L 55, 29.2.1992, p. 3). Regulation amended by the Act of Accession of 1994.

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(14)

(15)

In exceptional cases where the public interest of the Community so requires, it may also be expe-
dient for the Commission to adopt a decision of a declaratory nature finding that the prohibition in
Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty does not apply, with a view to clarifying the law and ensuring
its consistent application throughout the Community, in particular with regard to new types of
agreements or practices that have not been settled in the existing case-law and administrative prac-
tice.

The Commission and the competition authorities of the Member States should form together a
network of public authorities applying the Community competition rules in close cooperation. For
that purpose it is necessary to set up arrangements for information and consultation. Further modal-
ities for the cooperation within the network will be laid down and revised by the Commission, in
close cooperation with the Member States.

(16) Notwithstanding any national provision to the contrary, the exchange of information and the use of
such information in evidence should be allowed between the members of the network even where
the information is confidential. This information may be used for the application of Articles 81 and
82 of the Treaty as well as for the parallel application of national competition law, provided that the
latter application relates to the same case and does not lead to a different outcome. When the infor-
mation exchanged is used by the receiving authority to impose sanctions on undertakings, there
should be no other limit to the use of the information than the obligation to use it for the purpose
for which it was collected given the fact that the sanctions imposed on undertakings are of the same
type in all systems. The rights of defence enjoyed by undertakings in the various systems can be
considered as sufficiently equivalent. However, as regards natural persons, they may be subject to
substantially different types of sanctions across the various systems. Where that is the case, it is
necessary to ensure that information can only be used if it has been collected in a way which
respects the same level of protection of the rights of defence of natural persons as provided for
under the national rules of the receiving authority.

(17)

(18)

(19)

If the competition rules are to be applied consistently and, at the same time, the network is to be
managed in the best possible way, it is essential to retain the rule that the competition authorities of
the Member States are automatically relieved of their competence if the Commission initiates its
own proceedings. Where a competition authority of a Member State is already acting on a case and
the Commission intends to initiate proceedings, it should endeavour to do so as soon as possible.
Before initiating proceedings, the Commission should consult the national authority concerned.

To ensure that cases are dealt with by the most appropriate authorities within the network, a general
provision should be laid down allowing a competition authority to suspend or close a case on the
ground that another authority is dealing with it or has already dealt with it, the objective being that
each case should be handled by a single authority. This provision should not prevent the Commis-
sion from rejecting a complaint for lack of Community interest, as the case-law of the Court of
Justice has acknowledged it may do, even if no other competition authority has indicated its inten-
tion of dealing with the case.

The Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions set up by Regulation No
17 has functioned in a very satisfactory manner. It will fit well into the new system of decentralised
application. It is necessary, therefore, to build upon the rules laid down by Regulation No 17, while
improving the effectiveness of the organisational arrangements. To this end, it would be expedient
to allow opinions to be delivered by written procedure. The Advisory Committee should also be able
to act as a forum for discussing cases that are being handled by the competition authorities of the
Member States, so as to help safeguard the consistent application of the Community competition
rules.

(20)

The Advisory Committee should be composed of representatives of the competition authorities of
the Member States. For meetings in which general issues are being discussed, Member States should
be able to appoint an additional representative. This is without prejudice to members of the
Committee being assisted by other experts from the Member States.

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(21)

(22)

(23)

(24)

(25)

Consistency in the application of the competition rules also requires that arrangements be estab-
lished for cooperation between the courts of the Member States and the Commission. This is rele-
vant for all courts of the Member States that apply Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty, whether
applying these rules in lawsuits between private parties, acting as public enforcers or as review
courts. In particular, national courts should be able to ask the Commission for information or for its
opinion on points concerning the application of Community competition law. The Commission and
the competition authorities of the Member States should also be able to submit written or oral
observations to courts called upon to apply Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty. These observa-
tions should be submitted within the framework of national procedural rules and practices including
those safeguarding the rights of the parties. Steps should therefore be taken to ensure that the
Commission and the competition authorities of
the Member States are kept sufficiently well
informed of proceedings before national courts.

In order to ensure compliance with the principles of legal certainty and the uniform application of
the Community competition rules in a system of parallel powers, conflicting decisions must be
avoided. It is therefore necessary to clarify, in accordance with the case-law of the Court of Justice,
the effects of Commission decisions and proceedings on courts and competition authorities of the
Member States. Commitment decisions adopted by the Commission do not affect the power of the
courts and the competition authorities of the Member States to apply Articles 81 and 82 of the
Treaty.

The Commission should be empowered throughout the Community to require such information to
be supplied as is necessary to detect any agreement, decision or concerted practice prohibited by
Article 81 of the Treaty or any abuse of a dominant position prohibited by Article 82 of the Treaty.
When complying with a decision of the Commission, undertakings cannot be forced to admit that
they have committed an infringement, but they are in any event obliged to answer factual questions
and to provide documents, even if this information may be used to establish against them or against
another undertaking the existence of an infringement.

The Commission should also be empowered to undertake such inspections as are necessary to detect
any agreement, decision or concerted practice prohibited by Article 81 of the Treaty or any abuse of
a dominant position prohibited by Article 82 of the Treaty. The competition authorities of the
Member States should cooperate actively in the exercise of these powers.

The detection of infringements of the competition rules is growing ever more difficult, and, in order
to protect competition effectively, the Commission's powers of investigation need to be supple-
mented. The Commission should in particular be empowered to interview any persons who may be
in possession of useful information and to record the statements made. In the course of an inspec-
tion, officials authorised by the Commission should be empowered to affix seals for the period of
time necessary for the inspection. Seals should normally not be affixed for more than 72 hours. Offi-
cials authorised by the Commission should also be empowered to ask for any information relevant
to the subject matter and purpose of the inspection.

(26)

Experience has shown that there are cases where business records are kept in the homes of directors
or other people working for an undertaking. In order to safeguard the effectiveness of inspections,
therefore, officials and other persons authorised by the Commission should be empowered to enter
any premises where business records may be kept, including private homes. However, the exercise
of this latter power should be subject to the authorisation of the judicial authority.

(27) Without prejudice to the case-law of the Court of Justice, it is useful to set out the scope of the
control that the national judicial authority may carry out when it authorises, as foreseen by national
law including as a precautionary measure, assistance from law enforcement authorities in order to
overcome possible opposition on the part of the undertaking or the execution of the decision to
carry out inspections in non-business premises. It results from the case-law that the national judicial
authority may in particular ask the Commission for further information which it needs to carry out
its control and in the absence of which it could refuse the authorisation. The case-law also confirms
the competence of the national courts to control the application of national rules governing the
implementation of coercive measures.

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(28)

In order to help the competition authorities of the Member States to apply Articles 81 and 82 of
the Treaty effectively, it is expedient to enable them to assist one another by carrying out inspections
and other fact-finding measures.

(29)

(30)

(31)

(32)

(33)

(34)

(35)

Compliance with Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty and the fulfilment of the obligations imposed on
undertakings and associations of undertakings under this Regulation should be enforceable by means
of fines and periodic penalty payments. To that end, appropriate levels of fine should also be laid
down for infringements of the procedural rules.

In order to ensure effective recovery of fines imposed on associations of undertakings for infringe-
ments that they have committed, it is necessary to lay down the conditions on which the Commis-
sion may require payment of the fine from the members of the association where the association is
not solvent. In doing so, the Commission should have regard to the relative size of the undertakings
belonging to the association and in particular to the situation of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Payment of the fine by one or several members of an association is without prejudice to rules of
national law that provide for recovery of the amount paid from other members of the association.

The rules on periods of limitation for the imposition of fines and periodic penalty payments were
laid down in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2988/74 (1), which also concerns penalties in the field of
transport. In a system of parallel powers, the acts, which may interrupt a limitation period, should
include procedural steps taken independently by the competition authority of a Member State. To
clarify the legal framework, Regulation (EEC) No 2988/74 should therefore be amended to prevent
it applying to matters covered by this Regulation, and this Regulation should include provisions on
periods of limitation.

The undertakings concerned should be accorded the right to be heard by the Commission, third
parties whose interests may be affected by a decision should be given the opportunity of submitting
their observations beforehand, and the decisions taken should be widely publicised. While ensuring
the rights of defence of the undertakings concerned, in particular, the right of access to the file, it is
essential that business secrets be protected. The confidentiality of information exchanged in the
network should likewise be safeguarded.

Since all decisions taken by the Commission under this Regulation are subject to review by the
Court of Justice in accordance with the Treaty, the Court of Justice should, in accordance with
Article 229 thereof be given unlimited jurisdiction in respect of decisions by which the Commission
imposes fines or periodic penalty payments.

The principles laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty, as they have been applied by Regula-
tion No 17, have given a central role to the Community bodies. This central role should be retained,
whilst associating the Member States more closely with the application of the Community competi-
tion rules. In accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article
5 of the Treaty, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve its objec-
tive, which is to allow the Community competition rules to be applied effectively.

In order to attain a proper enforcement of Community competition law, Member States should
designate and empower authorities to apply Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty as public enforcers.
They should be able to designate administrative as well as judicial authorities to carry out the
various functions conferred upon competition authorities in this Regulation. This Regulation recog-
nises the wide variation which exists in the public enforcement systems of Member States. The
effects of Article 11(6) of this Regulation should apply to all competition authorities. As an excep-
tion to this general rule, where a prosecuting authority brings a case before a separate judicial

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2988/74 of 26 November 1974 concerning limitation periods in proceedings and the
enforcement of sanctions under the rules of the European Economic Community relating to transport and competi-
tion (OJ L 319, 29.11.1974, p. 1).

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authority, Article 11(6) should apply to the prosecuting authority subject to the conditions in Article
35(4) of this Regulation. Where these conditions are not fulfilled, the general rule should apply. In
any case, Article 11(6) should not apply to courts insofar as they are acting as review courts.

(36) As the case-law has made it clear that the competition rules apply to transport, that sector should
be made subject to the procedural provisions of this Regulation. Council Regulation No 141 of 26
November 1962 exempting transport from the application of Regulation No 17 (1) should therefore
be repealed and Regulations (EEC) No 1017/68 (2), (EEC) No 4056/86 (3) and (EEC) No 3975/87 (4)
should be amended in order to delete the specific procedural provisions they contain.

(37)

(38)

This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular
by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Accordingly, this Regulation should
be interpreted and applied with respect to those rights and principles.

Legal certainty for undertakings operating under the Community competition rules contributes to
the promotion of innovation and investment. Where cases give rise to genuine uncertainty because
they present novel or unresolved questions for the application of these rules, individual undertakings
may wish to seek informal guidance from the Commission. This Regulation is without prejudice to
the ability of the Commission to issue such informal guidance,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

CHAPTER I

PRINCIPLES

Article 1

Application of Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty

1.
Agreements, decisions and concerted practices caught by Article 81(1) of the Treaty which do not
satisfy the conditions of Article 81(3) of the Treaty shall be prohibited, no prior decision to that effect
being required.

2.
Agreements, decisions and concerted practices caught by Article 81(1) of the Treaty which satisfy the
conditions of Article 81(3) of the Treaty shall not be prohibited, no prior decision to that effect being
required.

The abuse of a dominant position referred to in Article 82 of the Treaty shall be prohibited, no prior

3.
decision to that effect being required.

(1) OJ 124, 28.11.1962, p. 2751/62; Regulation as last amended by Regulation No 1002/67/EEC (OJ 306, 16.12.1967,

p. 1).

(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68 of 19 July 1968 applying rules of competition to transport by rail, road and

inland waterway (OJ L 175, 23.7.1968, p. 1). Regulation as last amended by the Act of Accession of 1994.

(3) Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Arti-
cles 81 and 82 (The title of the Regulation has been adjusted to take account of the renumbering of the Articles of
the EC Treaty, in accordance with Article 12 of the Treaty of Amsterdam; the original reference was to Articles 85
and 86 of the Treaty) of the Treaty to maritime transport (OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 4). Regulation as last amended
by the Act of Accession of 1994.

(4) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3975/87 of 14 December 1987 laying down the procedure for the application of the
rules on competition to undertakings in the air transport sector (OJ L 374, 31.12.1987, p. 1). Regulation as last
amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2410/92 (OJ L 240, 24.8.1992, p. 18).

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Article 2

Burden of proof

In any national or Community proceedings for the application of Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty, the
burden of proving an infringement of Article 81(1) or of Article 82 of the Treaty shall rest on the party or
the authority alleging the infringement. The undertaking or association of undertakings claiming the benefit
of Article 81(3) of the Treaty shall bear the burden of proving that the conditions of that paragraph are
fulfilled.

Article 3

Relationship between Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty and national competition laws

1. Where the competition authorities of the Member States or national courts apply national competi-
tion law to agreements, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted practices within the
meaning of Article 81(1) of the Treaty which may affect trade between Member States within the meaning
of that provision, they shall also apply Article 81 of the Treaty to such agreements, decisions or concerted
practices. Where the competition authorities of the Member States or national courts apply national
competition law to any abuse prohibited by Article 82 of the Treaty, they shall also apply Article 82 of the
Treaty.

2.
The application of national competition law may not lead to the prohibition of agreements, decisions
by associations of undertakings or concerted practices which may affect trade between Member States but
which do not restrict competition within the meaning of Article 81(1) of the Treaty, or which fulfil the
conditions of Article 81(3) of the Treaty or which are covered by a Regulation for the application of Article
81(3) of the Treaty. Member States shall not under this Regulation be precluded from adopting and
applying on their territory stricter national laws which prohibit or sanction unilateral conduct engaged in
by undertakings.

3. Without prejudice to general principles and other provisions of Community law, paragraphs 1 and 2
do not apply when the competition authorities and the courts of the Member States apply national merger
control laws nor do they preclude the application of provisions of national law that predominantly pursue
an objective different from that pursued by Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty.

CHAPTER II

POWERS

Article 4

Powers of the Commission

For the purpose of applying Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty, the Commission shall have the powers
provided for by this Regulation.

Article 5

Powers of the competition authorities of the Member States

The competition authorities of the Member States shall have the power to apply Articles 81 and 82 of the
Treaty in individual cases. For this purpose, acting on their own initiative or on a complaint, they may take
the following decisions:

— requiring that an infringement be brought to an end,

— ordering interim measures,

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— accepting commitments,

— imposing fines, periodic penalty payments or any other penalty provided for in their national law.

Where on the basis of the information in their possession the conditions for prohibition are not met they
may likewise decide that there are no grounds for action on their part.

Article 6

Powers of the national courts

National courts shall have the power to apply Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty.

CHAPTER III

COMMISSION DECISIONS

Article 7

Finding and termination of infringement

1. Where the Commission, acting on a complaint or on its own initiative, finds that there is an infringe-
ment of Article 81 or of Article 82 of the Treaty, it may by decision require the undertakings and associa-
tions of undertakings concerned to bring such infringement to an end. For this purpose, it may impose on
them any behavioural or structural remedies which are proportionate to the infringement committed and
necessary to bring the infringement effectively to an end. Structural remedies can only be imposed either
where there is no equally effective behavioural remedy or where any equally effective behavioural remedy
would be more burdensome for the undertaking concerned than the structural remedy. If the Commission
has a legitimate interest in doing so, it may also find that an infringement has been committed in the past.

Those entitled to lodge a complaint for the purposes of paragraph 1 are natural or legal persons who

2.
can show a legitimate interest and Member States.

Article 8

Interim measures

1.
In cases of urgency due to the risk of serious and irreparable damage to competition, the Commis-
sion, acting on its own initiative may by decision, on the basis of a prima facie finding of infringement,
order interim measures.

A decision under paragraph 1 shall apply for a specified period of time and may be renewed in so far

2.
this is necessary and appropriate.

Article 9

Commitments

1. Where the Commission intends to adopt a decision requiring that an infringement be brought to an
end and the undertakings concerned offer commitments to meet the concerns expressed to them by the
Commission in its preliminary assessment, the Commission may by decision make those commitments
binding on the undertakings. Such a decision may be adopted for a specified period and shall conclude that
there are no longer grounds for action by the Commission.

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2.

The Commission may, upon request or on its own initiative, reopen the proceedings:

(a) where there has been a material change in any of the facts on which the decision was based;

(b) where the undertakings concerned act contrary to their commitments; or

(c) where the decision was based on incomplete, incorrect or misleading information provided by the

parties.

Article 10

Finding of inapplicability

Where the Community public interest relating to the application of Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty so
requires, the Commission, acting on its own initiative, may by decision find that Article 81 of the Treaty is
not applicable to an agreement, a decision by an association of undertakings or a concerted practice, either
because the conditions of Article 81(1) of the Treaty are not fulfilled, or because the conditions of Article
81(3) of the Treaty are satisfied.

The Commission may likewise make such a finding with reference to Article 82 of the Treaty.

CHAPTER IV

COOPERATION

Article 11

Cooperation between the Commission and the competition authorities of the Member States

The Commission and the competition authorities of the Member States shall apply the Community

1.
competition rules in close cooperation.

The Commission shall transmit to the competition authorities of the Member States copies of the
2.
most important documents it has collected with a view to applying Articles 7, 8, 9, 10 and Article 29(1).
At the request of the competition authority of a Member State, the Commission shall provide it with a
copy of other existing documents necessary for the assessment of the case.

3.
The competition authorities of the Member States shall, when acting under Article 81 or Article 82
of the Treaty, inform the Commission in writing before or without delay after commencing the first formal
investigative measure. This information may also be made available to the competition authorities of the
other Member States.

4.
No later than 30 days before the adoption of a decision requiring that an infringement be brought to
an end, accepting commitments or withdrawing the benefit of a block exemption Regulation, the competi-
tion authorities of the Member States shall inform the Commission. To that effect, they shall provide the
Commission with a summary of the case, the envisaged decision or, in the absence thereof, any other docu-
ment indicating the proposed course of action. This information may also be made available to the compe-
tition authorities of the other Member States. At the request of the Commission, the acting competition
authority shall make available to the Commission other documents it holds which are necessary for the
assessment of the case. The information supplied to the Commission may be made available to the compe-
tition authorities of the other Member States. National competition authorities may also exchange between
themselves information necessary for the assessment of a case that they are dealing with under Article 81
or Article 82 of the Treaty.

The competition authorities of the Member States may consult the Commission on any case involving

5.
the application of Community law.

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The initiation by the Commission of proceedings for the adoption of a decision under Chapter III
6.
shall relieve the competition authorities of the Member States of their competence to apply Articles 81 and
82 of the Treaty. If a competition authority of a Member State is already acting on a case, the Commission
shall only initiate proceedings after consulting with that national competition authority.

Article 12

Exchange of information

1.
For the purpose of applying Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty the Commission and the competition
authorities of the Member States shall have the power to provide one another with and use in evidence
any matter of fact or of law, including confidential information.

2.
Information exchanged shall only be used in evidence for the purpose of applying Article 81 or
Article 82 of the Treaty and in respect of the subject-matter for which it was collected by the transmitting
authority. However, where national competition law is applied in the same case and in parallel to Commu-
nity competition law and does not lead to a different outcome, information exchanged under this Article
may also be used for the application of national competition law.

Information exchanged pursuant to paragraph 1 can only be used in evidence to impose sanctions

3.
on natural persons where:

— the law of the transmitting authority foresees sanctions of a similar kind in relation to an infringement

of Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty or, in the absence thereof,

— the information has been collected in a way which respects the same level of protection of the rights of
defence of natural persons as provided for under the national rules of the receiving authority. However,
in this case, the information exchanged cannot be used by the receiving authority to impose custodial
sanctions.

Article 13

Suspension or termination of proceedings

1. Where competition authorities of two or more Member States have received a complaint or are
acting on their own initiative under Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty against the same agreement,
decision of an association or practice, the fact that one authority is dealing with the case shall be sufficient
grounds for the others to suspend the proceedings before them or to reject the complaint. The Commission
may likewise reject a complaint on the ground that a competition authority of a Member State is dealing
with the case.

2. Where a competition authority of a Member State or the Commission has received a complaint
against an agreement, decision of an association or practice which has already been dealt with by another
competition authority, it may reject it.

Article 14

Advisory Committee

The Commission shall consult an Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Posi-

1.
tions prior to the taking of any decision under Articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 23, Article 24(2) and Article 29(1).

2.
For the discussion of individual cases, the Advisory Committee shall be composed of representatives
of the competition authorities of the Member States. For meetings in which issues other than individual
cases are being discussed, an additional Member State representative competent in competition matters
may be appointed. Representatives may, if unable to attend, be replaced by other representatives.

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The consultation may take place at a meeting convened and chaired by the Commission, held not
3.
earlier than 14 days after dispatch of the notice convening it, together with a summary of the case, an indi-
cation of the most important documents and a preliminary draft decision. In respect of decisions pursuant
to Article 8, the meeting may be held seven days after the dispatch of the operative part of a draft decision.
Where the Commission dispatches a notice convening the meeting which gives a shorter period of notice
than those specified above, the meeting may take place on the proposed date in the absence of an objec-
tion by any Member State. The Advisory Committee shall deliver a written opinion on the Commission's
preliminary draft decision. It may deliver an opinion even if some members are absent and are not repre-
sented. At the request of one or several members, the positions stated in the opinion shall be reasoned.

4.
Consultation may also take place by written procedure. However, if any Member State so requests,
the Commission shall convene a meeting. In case of written procedure, the Commission shall determine a
time-limit of not less than 14 days within which the Member States are to put forward their observations
for circulation to all other Member States. In case of decisions to be taken pursuant to Article 8, the time-
limit of 14 days is replaced by seven days. Where the Commission determines a time-limit for the written
procedure which is shorter than those specified above, the proposed time-limit shall be applicable in the
absence of an objection by any Member State.

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the Advisory Committee.

5.
It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

6. Where the Advisory Committee delivers a written opinion, this opinion shall be appended to the
draft decision. If the Advisory Committee recommends publication of the opinion, the Commission shall
carry out such publication taking into account the legitimate interest of undertakings in the protection of
their business secrets.

At the request of a competition authority of a Member State, the Commission shall include on the
7.
agenda of the Advisory Committee cases that are being dealt with by a competition authority of a Member
State under Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty. The Commission may also do so on its own initiative.
In either case, the Commission shall inform the competition authority concerned.

A request may in particular be made by a competition authority of a Member State in respect of a case
where the Commission intends to initiate proceedings with the effect of Article 11(6).

The Advisory Committee shall not issue opinions on cases dealt with by competition authorities of the
Member States. The Advisory Committee may also discuss general issues of Community competition law.

Article 15

Cooperation with national courts

In proceedings for the application of Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty, courts of the Member
1.
States may ask the Commission to transmit to them information in its possession or its opinion on ques-
tions concerning the application of the Community competition rules.

2. Member States shall forward to the Commission a copy of any written judgment of national courts
deciding on the application of Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty. Such copy shall be forwarded without
delay after the full written judgment is notified to the parties.

Competition authorities of the Member States, acting on their own initiative, may submit written
3.
observations to the national courts of their Member State on issues relating to the application of Article 81
or Article 82 of the Treaty. With the permission of the court in question, they may also submit oral obser-
vations to the national courts of their Member State. Where the coherent application of Article 81 or
Article 82 of the Treaty so requires, the Commission, acting on its own initiative, may submit written
observations to courts of the Member States. With the permission of the court in question, it may also
make oral observations.

For the purpose of the preparation of their observations only, the competition authorities of the Member
States and the Commission may request the relevant court of the Member State to transmit or ensure the
transmission to them of any documents necessary for the assessment of the case.

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This Article is without prejudice to wider powers to make observations before courts conferred on

4.
competition authorities of the Member States under the law of their Member State.

Article 16

Uniform application of Community competition law

1. When national courts rule on agreements, decisions or practices under Article 81 or Article 82 of the
Treaty which are already the subject of a Commission decision, they cannot take decisions running counter
to the decision adopted by the Commission. They must also avoid giving decisions which would conflict
with a decision contemplated by the Commission in proceedings it has initiated. To that effect, the national
court may assess whether it is necessary to stay its proceedings. This obligation is without prejudice to the
rights and obligations under Article 234 of the Treaty.

2. When competition authorities of the Member States rule on agreements, decisions or practices under
Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty which are already the subject of a Commission decision, they cannot
take decisions which would run counter to the decision adopted by the Commission.

CHAPTER V

POWERS OF INVESTIGATION

Article 17

Investigations into sectors of the economy and into types of agreements

1. Where the trend of trade between Member States, the rigidity of prices or other circumstances
suggest that competition may be restricted or distorted within the common market, the Commission may
conduct its inquiry into a particular sector of the economy or into a particular type of agreements across
various sectors. In the course of that inquiry, the Commission may request the undertakings or associations
of undertakings concerned to supply the information necessary for giving effect to Articles 81 and 82 of
the Treaty and may carry out any inspections necessary for that purpose.

The Commission may in particular request the undertakings or associations of undertakings concerned to
communicate to it all agreements, decisions and concerted practices.

The Commission may publish a report on the results of its inquiry into particular sectors of the economy
or particular types of agreements across various sectors and invite comments from interested parties.

2.

Articles 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 18

Requests for information

1.
In order to carry out the duties assigned to it by this Regulation, the Commission may, by simple
request or by decision, require undertakings and associations of undertakings to provide all necessary infor-
mation.

2. When sending a simple request for information to an undertaking or association of undertakings, the
Commission shall state the legal basis and the purpose of the request, specify what information is required
and fix the time-limit within which the information is to be provided, and the penalties provided for in
Article 23 for supplying incorrect or misleading information.

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3. Where the Commission requires undertakings and associations of undertakings to supply information
by decision,
it shall state the legal basis and the purpose of the request, specify what information is
required and fix the time-limit within which it is to be provided. It shall also indicate the penalties provided
for in Article 23 and indicate or impose the penalties provided for in Article 24. It shall further indicate
the right to have the decision reviewed by the Court of Justice.

4.
The owners of the undertakings or their representatives and, in the case of legal persons, companies
or firms, or associations having no legal personality, the persons authorised to represent them by law or
by their constitution shall supply the information requested on behalf of the undertaking or the association
of undertakings concerned. Lawyers duly authorised to act may supply the information on behalf of their
clients. The latter shall remain fully responsible if the information supplied is incomplete, incorrect or
misleading.

The Commission shall without delay forward a copy of the simple request or of the decision to the
5.
competition authority of the Member State in whose territory the seat of the undertaking or association of
undertakings is situated and the competition authority of the Member State whose territory is affected.

At the request of the Commission the governments and competition authorities of the Member States
6.
shall provide the Commission with all necessary information to carry out the duties assigned to it by this
Regulation.

Article 19

Power to take statements

1.
In order to carry out the duties assigned to it by this Regulation, the Commission may interview any
natural or legal person who consents to be interviewed for the purpose of collecting information relating
to the subject-matter of an investigation.

2. Where an interview pursuant to paragraph 1 is conducted in the premises of an undertaking, the
Commission shall inform the competition authority of the Member State in whose territory the interview
takes place. If so requested by the competition authority of that Member State, its officials may assist the
officials and other accompanying persons authorised by the Commission to conduct the interview.

Article 20

The Commission's powers of inspection

In order to carry out the duties assigned to it by this Regulation, the Commission may conduct all

1.
necessary inspections of undertakings and associations of undertakings.

The officials and other accompanying persons authorised by the Commission to conduct an inspec-

2.
tion are empowered:

(a) to enter any premises, land and means of transport of undertakings and associations of undertakings;

(b) to examine the books and other records related to the business, irrespective of the medium on which

they are stored;

(c) to take or obtain in any form copies of or extracts from such books or records;

(d) to seal any business premises and books or records for the period and to the extent necessary for the

inspection;

(e) to ask any representative or member of staff of the undertaking or association of undertakings for
explanations on facts or documents relating to the subject-matter and purpose of the inspection and to
record the answers.

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The officials and other accompanying persons authorised by the Commission to conduct an inspec-
3.
tion shall exercise their powers upon production of a written authorisation specifying the subject matter
and purpose of the inspection and the penalties provided for in Article 23 in case the production of the
required books or other records related to the business is incomplete or where the answers to questions
asked under paragraph 2 of the present Article are incorrect or misleading. In good time before the inspec-
tion, the Commission shall give notice of the inspection to the competition authority of the Member State
in whose territory it is to be conducted.

Undertakings and associations of undertakings are required to submit to inspections ordered by deci-
4.
sion of the Commission. The decision shall specify the subject matter and purpose of the inspection,
appoint the date on which it is to begin and indicate the penalties provided for in Articles 23 and 24 and
the right to have the decision reviewed by the Court of Justice. The Commission shall take such decisions
after consulting the competition authority of the Member State in whose territory the inspection is to be
conducted.

5.
Officials of as well as those authorised or appointed by the competition authority of the Member
State in whose territory the inspection is to be conducted shall, at the request of that authority or of the
Commission, actively assist the officials and other accompanying persons authorised by the Commission.
To this end, they shall enjoy the powers specified in paragraph 2.

6. Where the officials and other accompanying persons authorised by the Commission find that an
undertaking opposes an inspection ordered pursuant to this Article, the Member State concerned shall
afford them the necessary assistance, requesting where appropriate the assistance of the police or of an
equivalent enforcement authority, so as to enable them to conduct their inspection.

If

7.
the assistance provided for in paragraph 6 requires authorisation from a judicial authority
according to national rules, such authorisation shall be applied for. Such authorisation may also be applied
for as a precautionary measure.

8. Where authorisation as referred to in paragraph 7 is applied for, the national judicial authority shall
control that the Commission decision is authentic and that the coercive measures envisaged are neither
arbitrary nor excessive having regard to the subject matter of the inspection. In its control of the propor-
tionality of the coercive measures, the national judicial authority may ask the Commission, directly or
through the Member State competition authority, for detailed explanations in particular on the grounds
the Commission has for suspecting infringement of Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty, as well as on the
seriousness of the suspected infringement and on the nature of the involvement of the undertaking
concerned. However, the national judicial authority may not call into question the necessity for the inspec-
tion nor demand that it be provided with the information in the Commission's file. The lawfulness of the
Commission decision shall be subject to review only by the Court of Justice.

Article 21

Inspection of other premises

1.
If a reasonable suspicion exists that books or other records related to the business and to the subject-
matter of the inspection, which may be relevant to prove a serious violation of Article 81 or Article 82 of
the Treaty, are being kept in any other premises, land and means of transport, including the homes of
directors, managers and other members of staff of the undertakings and associations of undertakings
concerned, the Commission can by decision order an inspection to be conducted in such other premises,
land and means of transport.

2.
The decision shall specify the subject matter and purpose of the inspection, appoint the date on
which it is to begin and indicate the right to have the decision reviewed by the Court of Justice. It shall in
particular state the reasons that have led the Commission to conclude that a suspicion in the sense of para-
graph 1 exists. The Commission shall take such decisions after consulting the competition authority of the
Member State in whose territory the inspection is to be conducted.

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A decision adopted pursuant to paragraph 1 cannot be executed without prior authorisation from
3.
the national judicial authority of the Member State concerned. The national judicial authority shall control
that the Commission decision is authentic and that the coercive measures envisaged are neither arbitrary
nor excessive having regard in particular to the seriousness of the suspected infringement, to the impor-
tance of the evidence sought, to the involvement of the undertaking concerned and to the reasonable likeli-
hood that business books and records relating to the subject matter of the inspection are kept in the
premises for which the authorisation is requested. The national judicial authority may ask the Commission,
directly or through the Member State competition authority, for detailed explanations on those elements
which are necessary to allow its control of the proportionality of the coercive measures envisaged.

However, the national judicial authority may not call into question the necessity for the inspection nor
demand that it be provided with information in the Commission's file. The lawfulness of the Commission
decision shall be subject to review only by the Court of Justice.

4.
The officials and other accompanying persons authorised by the Commission to conduct an inspec-
tion ordered in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article shall have the powers set out in Article
20(2)(a), (b) and (c). Article 20(5) and (6) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 22

Investigations by competition authorities of Member States

The competition authority of a Member State may in its own territory carry out any inspection or
1.
other fact-finding measure under its national
law on behalf and for the account of the competition
authority of another Member State in order to establish whether there has been an infringement of Article
81 or Article 82 of the Treaty. Any exchange and use of the information collected shall be carried out in
accordance with Article 12.

2.
At the request of the Commission, the competition authorities of the Member States shall undertake
the inspections which the Commission considers to be necessary under Article 20(1) or which it has
ordered by decision pursuant to Article 20(4). The officials of the competition authorities of the Member
States who are responsible for conducting these inspections as well as those authorised or appointed by
them shall exercise their powers in accordance with their national law.

If so requested by the Commission or by the competition authority of the Member State in whose territory
the inspection is to be conducted, officials and other accompanying persons authorised by the Commission
may assist the officials of the authority concerned.

CHAPTER VI

PENALTIES

Article 23

Fines

The Commission may by decision impose on undertakings and associations of undertakings fines not

1.
exceeding 1 % of the total turnover in the preceding business year where, intentionally or negligently:

(a) they supply incorrect or misleading information in response to a request made pursuant to Article 17

or Article 18(2);

(b) in response to a request made by decision adopted pursuant to Article 17 or Article 18(3), they supply
incomplete or misleading information or do not supply information within the required

incorrect,
time-limit;

(c) they produce the required books or other records related to the business in incomplete form during
inspections under Article 20 or refuse to submit to inspections ordered by a decision adopted pursuant
to Article 20(4);

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(d) in response to a question asked in accordance with Article 20(2)(e),

— they give an incorrect or misleading answer,

— they fail to rectify within a time-limit set by the Commission an incorrect, incomplete or misleading

answer given by a member of staff, or

— they fail or refuse to provide a complete answer on facts relating to the subject-matter and purpose

of an inspection ordered by a decision adopted pursuant to Article 20(4);

(e) seals affixed in accordance with Article 20(2)(d) by officials or other accompanying persons authorised

by the Commission have been broken.

The Commission may by decision impose fines on undertakings and associations of undertakings

2.
where, either intentionally or negligently:

(a) they infringe Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty; or

(b) they contravene a decision ordering interim measures under Article 8; or

(c) they fail to comply with a commitment made binding by a decision pursuant to Article 9.

For each undertaking and association of undertakings participating in the infringement, the fine shall not
exceed 10 % of its total turnover in the preceding business year.

Where the infringement of an association relates to the activities of its members, the fine shall not exceed
10 % of the sum of the total turnover of each member active on the market affected by the infringement
of the association.

In fixing the amount of the fine, regard shall be had both to the gravity and to the duration of the

3.
infringement.

4. When a fine is imposed on an association of undertakings taking account of the turnover of its
members and the association is not solvent, the association is obliged to call for contributions from its
members to cover the amount of the fine.

Where such contributions have not been made to the association within a time-limit fixed by the Commis-
sion, the Commission may require payment of the fine directly by any of the undertakings whose represen-
tatives were members of the decision-making bodies concerned of the association.

After the Commission has required payment under the second subparagraph, where necessary to ensure
full payment of the fine, the Commission may require payment of the balance by any of the members of
the association which were active on the market on which the infringement occurred.

However, the Commission shall not require payment under the second or the third subparagraph from
undertakings which show that they have not implemented the infringing decision of the association and
either were not aware of its existence or have actively distanced themselves from it before the Commission
started investigating the case.

The financial liability of each undertaking in respect of the payment of the fine shall not exceed 10 % of its
total turnover in the preceding business year.

5.

Decisions taken pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not be of a criminal law nature.

Article 24

Periodic penalty payments

1.
The Commission may, by decision, impose on undertakings or associations of undertakings periodic
penalty payments not exceeding 5 % of the average daily turnover in the preceding business year per day
and calculated from the date appointed by the decision, in order to compel them:

(a) to put an end to an infringement of Article 81 or Article 82 of the Treaty, in accordance with a deci-

sion taken pursuant to Article 7;

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(b) to comply with a decision ordering interim measures taken pursuant to Article 8;

(c) to comply with a commitment made binding by a decision pursuant to Article 9;

(d) to supply complete and correct information which it has requested by decision taken pursuant to

Article 17 or Article 18(3);

(e) to submit to an inspection which it has ordered by decision taken pursuant to Article 20(4).

2. Where the undertakings or associations of undertakings have satisfied the obligation which the peri-
odic penalty payment was intended to enforce, the Commission may fix the definitive amount of the peri-
odic penalty payment at a figure lower than that which would arise under the original decision. Article
23(4) shall apply correspondingly.

CHAPTER VII

LIMITATION PERIODS

Article 25

Limitation periods for the imposition of penalties

The powers conferred on the Commission by Articles 23 and 24 shall be subject to the following

1.
limitation periods:

(a) three years in the case of infringements of provisions concerning requests for information or the

conduct of inspections;

(b) five years in the case of all other infringements.

2.
Time shall begin to run on the day on which the infringement is committed. However, in the case of
continuing or repeated infringements, time shall begin to run on the day on which the infringement
ceases.

3.
Any action taken by the Commission or by the competition authority of a Member State for the
purpose of the investigation or proceedings in respect of an infringement shall interrupt the limitation
period for the imposition of fines or periodic penalty payments. The limitation period shall be interrupted
with effect from the date on which the action is notified to at least one undertaking or association of
undertakings which has participated in the infringement. Actions which interrupt the running of the period
shall include in particular the following:

(a) written requests for information by the Commission or by the competition authority of a Member

State;

(b) written authorisations to conduct inspections issued to its officials by the Commission or by the

competition authority of a Member State;

(c) the initiation of proceedings by the Commission or by the competition authority of a Member State;

(d) notification of the statement of objections of the Commission or of the competition authority of a

Member State.

The interruption of the limitation period shall apply for all the undertakings or associations of under-

4.
takings which have participated in the infringement.

5.
Each interruption shall start time running afresh. However, the limitation period shall expire at the
latest on the day on which a period equal to twice the limitation period has elapsed without the Commis-
sion having imposed a fine or a periodic penalty payment. That period shall be extended by the time
during which limitation is suspended pursuant to paragraph 6.

6.
The limitation period for the imposition of fines or periodic penalty payments shall be suspended for
as long as the decision of the Commission is the subject of proceedings pending before the Court of
Justice.

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Article 26

Limitation period for the enforcement of penalties

The power of the Commission to enforce decisions taken pursuant to Articles 23 and 24 shall be

1.
subject to a limitation period of five years.

2.

3.

Time shall begin to run on the day on which the decision becomes final.

The limitation period for the enforcement of penalties shall be interrupted:

(a) by notification of a decision varying the original amount of the fine or periodic penalty payment or

refusing an application for variation;

(b) by any action of the Commission or of a Member State, acting at the request of the Commission,

designed to enforce payment of the fine or periodic penalty payment.

4.

5.

Each interruption shall start time running afresh.

The limitation period for the enforcement of penalties shall be suspended for so long as:

(a) time to pay is allowed;

(b) enforcement of payment is suspended pursuant to a decision of the Court of Justice.

CHAPTER VIII

HEARINGS AND PROFESSIONAL SECRECY

Article 27

Hearing of the parties, complainants and others

1.
Before taking decisions as provided for in Articles 7, 8, 23 and Article 24(2), the Commission shall
give the undertakings or associations of undertakings which are the subject of the proceedings conducted
by the Commission the opportunity of being heard on the matters to which the Commission has taken
objection. The Commission shall base its decisions only on objections on which the parties concerned have
been able to comment. Complainants shall be associated closely with the proceedings.

2.
The rights of defence of the parties concerned shall be fully respected in the proceedings. They shall
be entitled to have access to the Commission's file, subject to the legitimate interest of undertakings in the
protection of their business secrets. The right of access to the file shall not extend to confidential informa-
tion and internal documents of the Commission or the competition authorities of the Member States. In
particular, the right of access shall not extend to correspondence between the Commission and the compe-
tition authorities of the Member States, or between the latter, including documents drawn up pursuant to
Articles 11 and 14. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the Commission from disclosing and using
information necessary to prove an infringement.

3.
If the Commission considers it necessary, it may also hear other natural or legal persons. Applications
to be heard on the part of such persons shall, where they show a sufficient interest, be granted. The
competition authorities of the Member States may also ask the Commission to hear other natural or legal
persons.

4. Where the Commission intends to adopt a decision pursuant to Article 9 or Article 10, it shall
publish a concise summary of the case and the main content of the commitments or of the proposed
course of action. Interested third parties may submit their observations within a time limit which is fixed
by the Commission in its publication and which may not be less than one month. Publication shall have
regard to the legitimate interest of undertakings in the protection of their business secrets.

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Article 28

Professional secrecy

1. Without prejudice to Articles 12 and 15, information collected pursuant to Articles 17 to 22 shall be
used only for the purpose for which it was acquired.

2. Without prejudice to the exchange and to the use of information foreseen in Articles 11, 12, 14, 15
and 27, the Commission and the competition authorities of the Member States, their officials, servants and
other persons working under the supervision of these authorities as well as officials and civil servants of
other authorities of the Member States shall not disclose information acquired or exchanged by them
pursuant to this Regulation and of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy. This obliga-
tion also applies to all representatives and experts of Member States attending meetings of the Advisory
Committee pursuant to Article 14.

CHAPTER IX

EXEMPTION REGULATIONS

Article 29

Withdrawal in individual cases

1. Where the Commission, empowered by a Council Regulation, such as Regulations 19/65/EEC, (EEC)
No 2821/71, (EEC) No 3976/87, (EEC) No 1534/91 or (EEC) No 479/92, to apply Article 81(3) of the
Treaty by regulation, has declared Article 81(1) of the Treaty inapplicable to certain categories of agree-
ments, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted practices, it may, acting on its own initiative
or on a complaint, withdraw the benefit of such an exemption Regulation when it finds that in any parti-
cular case an agreement, decision or concerted practice to which the exemption Regulation applies has
certain effects which are incompatible with Article 81(3) of the Treaty.

2. Where, in any particular case, agreements, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted
practices to which a Commission Regulation referred to in paragraph 1 applies have effects which are
incompatible with Article 81(3) of the Treaty in the territory of a Member State, or in a part thereof, which
has all the characteristics of a distinct geographic market, the competition authority of that Member State
may withdraw the benefit of the Regulation in question in respect of that territory.

CHAPTER X

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 30

Publication of decisions

1.

The Commission shall publish the decisions, which it takes pursuant to Articles 7 to 10, 23 and 24.

2.
The publication shall state the names of the parties and the main content of the decision, including
any penalties imposed. It shall have regard to the legitimate interest of undertakings in the protection of
their business secrets.

Article 31

Review by the Court of Justice

The Court of Justice shall have unlimited jurisdiction to review decisions whereby the Commission has
fixed a fine or periodic penalty payment. It may cancel, reduce or increase the fine or periodic penalty
payment imposed.

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Article 32

Exclusions

This Regulation shall not apply to:

(a) international tramp vessel services as defined in Article 1(3)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86;

(b) a maritime transport service that takes place exclusively between ports in one and the same Member

State as foreseen in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86;

(c) air transport between Community airports and third countries.

Article 33

Implementing provisions

The Commission shall be authorised to take such measures as may be appropriate in order to apply

1.
this Regulation. The measures may concern, inter alia:

(a) the form, content and other details of complaints lodged pursuant to Article 7 and the procedure for

rejecting complaints;

(b) the practical arrangements for the exchange of information and consultations provided for in Article

11;

(c) the practical arrangements for the hearings provided for in Article 27.

2.
Before the adoption of any measures pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall publish a draft
thereof and invite all interested parties to submit their comments within the time-limit it lays down, which
may not be less than one month. Before publishing a draft measure and before adopting it, the Commis-
sion shall consult the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions.

CHAPTER XI

TRANSITIONAL, AMENDING AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 34

Transitional provisions

1.
Applications made to the Commission under Article 2 of Regulation No 17, notifications made under
Articles 4 and 5 of that Regulation and the corresponding applications and notifications made under Regu-
lations (EEC) No 1017/68, (EEC) No 4056/86 and (EEC) No 3975/87 shall lapse as from the date of appli-
cation of this Regulation.

Procedural steps taken under Regulation No 17 and Regulations (EEC) No 1017/68, (EEC) No 4056/

2.
86 and (EEC) No 3975/87 shall continue to have effect for the purposes of applying this Regulation.

Article 35

Designation of competition authorities of Member States

1.
The Member States shall designate the competition authority or authorities responsible for the appli-
cation of Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty in such a way that the provisions of this regulation are effec-
tively complied with. The measures necessary to empower those authorities to apply those Articles shall be
taken before 1 May 2004. The authorities designated may include courts.

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2. When enforcement of Community competition law is entrusted to national administrative and judi-
cial authorities, the Member States may allocate different powers and functions to those different national
authorities, whether administrative or judicial.

The effects of Article 11(6) apply to the authorities designated by the Member States including courts
3.
that exercise functions regarding the preparation and the adoption of the types of decisions foreseen in
Article 5. The effects of Article 11(6) do not extend to courts insofar as they act as review courts in respect
of the types of decisions foreseen in Article 5.

4.
Notwithstanding paragraph 3, in the Member States where, for the adoption of certain types of deci-
sions foreseen in Article 5, an authority brings an action before a judicial authority that is separate and
different from the prosecuting authority and provided that the terms of this paragraph are complied with,
the effects of Article 11(6) shall be limited to the authority prosecuting the case which shall withdraw its
claim before the judicial authority when the Commission opens proceedings and this withdrawal shall
bring the national proceedings effectively to an end.

Article 36

Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68

Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68 is amended as follows:

1. Article 2 is repealed;

2.

in Article 3(1), the words ‘The prohibition laid down in Article 2’ are replaced by the words ‘The prohi-
bition in Article 81(1) of the Treaty’;

3. Article 4 is amended as follows:

(a) In paragraph 1, the words ‘The agreements, decisions and concerted practices referred to in Article
2’ are replaced by the words ‘Agreements, decisions and concerted practices pursuant to Article
81(1) of the Treaty’;

(b) Paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2.
If the implementation of any agreement, decision or concerted practice covered by paragraph
1 has, in a given case, effects which are incompatible with the requirements of Article 81(3) of the
Treaty, undertakings or associations of undertakings may be required to make such effects cease.’

4. Articles 5 to 29 are repealed with the exception of Article 13(3) which continues to apply to decisions
adopted pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68 prior to the date of application of this
Regulation until the date of expiration of those decisions;

5.

in Article 30, paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 are deleted.

Article 37

Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No 2988/74

In Regulation (EEC) No 2988/74, the following Article is inserted:

‘Article 7a

Exclusion

This Regulation shall not apply to measures taken under Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16
December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82
of the Treaty (*).

(*) OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.’

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Article 38

Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86

Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 is amended as follows:

1. Article 7 is amended as follows:

(a) Paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. Breach of an obligation

Where the persons concerned are in breach of an obligation which, pursuant to Article 5,
attaches to the exemption provided for in Article 3, the Commission may, in order to put an
end to such breach and under the conditions laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003
of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles
81 and 82 of the Treaty (*) adopt a decision that either prohibits them from carrying out or
requires them to perform certain specific acts, or withdraws the benefit of the block exemption
which they enjoyed.

(*) OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.’

(b) Paragraph 2 is amended as follows:

(i) In point (a), the words ‘under the conditions laid down in Section II’ are replaced by the words

‘under the conditions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1/2003’;

(ii) The second sentence of the second subparagraph of point (c)(i) is replaced by the following:

‘At the same time it shall decide, in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003,
whether to accept commitments offered by the undertakings concerned with a view, inter alia,
to obtaining access to the market for non-conference lines.’

2. Article 8 is amended as follows:

(a) Paragraph 1 is deleted.

(b) In paragraph 2 the words ‘pursuant to Article 10’ are replaced by the words ‘pursuant to Regulation

(EC) No 1/2003’.

(c) Paragraph 3 is deleted;

3. Article 9 is amended as follows:

(a) In paragraph 1, the words ‘Advisory Committee referred to in Article 15’ are replaced by the words

‘Advisory Committee referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003’;

(b) In paragraph 2, the words ‘Advisory Committee as referred to in Article 15’ are replaced by the

words ‘Advisory Committee referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003’;

4. Articles 10 to 25 are repealed with the exception of Article 13(3) which continues to apply to decisions
adopted pursuant to Article 81(3) of the Treaty prior to the date of application of this Regulation until
the date of expiration of those decisions;

5.

in Article 26, the words ‘the form, content and other details of complaints pursuant to Article 10, appli-
cations pursuant to Article 12 and the hearings provided for in Article 23(1) and (2)’ are deleted.

Article 39

Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No 3975/87

Articles 3 to 19 of Regulation (EEC) No 3975/87 are repealed with the exception of Article 6(3) which
continues to apply to decisions adopted pursuant to Article 81(3) of the Treaty prior to the date of applica-
tion of this Regulation until the date of expiration of those decisions.

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Article 40

Amendment of Regulations No 19/65/EEC, (EEC) No 2821/71 and (EEC) No 1534/91

Article 7 of Regulation No 19/65/EEC, Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 2821/71 and Article 7 of Regula-
tion (EEC) No 1534/91 are repealed.

Article 41

Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No 3976/87

Regulation (EEC) No 3976/87 is amended as follows:

1. Article 6 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 6

The Commission shall consult the Advisory Committee referred to in Article 14 of Council Regulation
(EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in
Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty (*) before publishing a draft Regulation and before adopting a Regula-
tion.

(*) OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.’

2. Article 7 is repealed.

Article 42

Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No 479/92

Regulation (EEC) No 479/92 is amended as follows:

1. Article 5 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 5

Before publishing the draft Regulation and before adopting the Regulation, the Commission shall
consult the Advisory Committee referred to in Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16
December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of
the Treaty (*).

(*) OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.’

2. Article 6 is repealed.

Article 43

Repeal of Regulations No 17 and No 141

1.
Regulation No 17 is repealed with the exception of Article 8(3) which continues to apply to decisions
adopted pursuant to Article 81(3) of the Treaty prior to the date of application of this Regulation until the
date of expiration of those decisions.

2.

3.

Regulation No 141 is repealed.

References to the repealed Regulations shall be construed as references to this Regulation.

Article 44

Report on the application of the present Regulation

Five years from the date of application of this Regulation, the Commission shall report to the European
Parliament and the Council on the functioning of this Regulation, in particular on the application of Article
11(6) and Article 17.

On the basis of this report, the Commission shall assess whether it is appropriate to propose to the Council
a revision of this Regulation.

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Article 45

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal
of the European Communities.

It shall apply from 1 May 2004.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 16 December 2002.

For the Council

The President

M. FISCHER BOEL