About: Competition policy
Spanish, Belgian companies face charges of ethanol benchmark rigging
Spanish ethanol producer Abengoa and Belgium peer Alcogroup have been charged by European Union antitrust regulators with rigging ethanol benchmarks and are likely to face fines next year, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday (29 August).
EU to slam Google with record fine ahead of Juncker US visit
Google is set to face a record-busting EU antitrust fine this week over its Android mobile operating system but rivals hoping that an order to halt unfair business practices will help them may be disappointed.
Commission says Airbnb breaches EU consumer rules, must fall into line
The European Union told Airbnb yesterday (16 July) to bring its terms and conditions into line with the bloc's consumer rules or face action by national consumer agencies, after a review of the short-term rental platform found some violations.
As expected, Vestager lets Gazprom off the hook
The EU's antitrust regulators have ended their investigation into Gazprom without imposing any fines, the Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager announced on Thursday (24 May). The Russian gas giant welcomed the EU's decision and promised to reform.
Commission to announce peace deal with Gazprom by next week
EU regulators will settle their antitrust case with Gazprom by next week, people close to the matter said on Monday (14 May), after the Russian energy giant pledged to change its pricing structure and allow rivals a foothold in eastern Europe.
Poland rolls out big legal gun against Nord Stream 2
Poland, the EU country at the forefront of efforts to stop the Nord Stream 2 offshore pipeline project, announced on Wednesday (9 May) it launched legal proceedings against Gazprom and the five EU companies involved in the project, warning they risk fines of up to 10% of their annual turnover.
A European vision for human-centred digital platform ecosystems
Europe must continue to establish itself as the global regulator of digital technology serving Europeans and respond to growing pressure from online platforms, write Mariya Gabriel and Mounir Mahjoubi.
EU antitrust chief says investigation of Google’s Android, AdSense is advancing
Investigations into how Google may be using its Android smartphone operating system and its AdSense advertising service to thwart rivals are advancing, Europe's antitrust chief said on Wednesday (18 April), amid concern about the lengthy proceedings.
European Commission raids offices in sports broadcasting investigation
The European Commission yesterday (10 April) raided the offices of a number of companies involved in sports broadcasting rights, including a unit of Rupert Murdoch's Fox, as part of an investigation into a possible cartel.
Will Europe reform the value chain in the food industry?
Trade relations in the agricultural sector remain a source of tensions between large retailers and farmers, while a legislative proposal is expected at European level. EURACTIV.fr reports.
UPS seeks €1.7 billion damages from EU for aborted TNT buyout
US package delivery giant United Parcel Service is seeking €1.7 billion ($2.1 billion) in damages from the European Commission after it stopped the firm's 2013 bid to take over TNT Express.
Apple’s Shazam acquisition under EU scrutiny
Apple’s Shazam acquisition could affect competition. The company spent $400 million (€340 million) for the application.
Austria to sue EU over Paks-2 nuclear plant, Commission says ‘see you in court’
Austria said on Monday (22 January) it planned to sue the European Commission for allowing Hungary to expand its Paks nuclear power plant, saying it did not view atomic energy as the way to combat climate change or as being in the common European interest.
Commission launches probe into Spanish aid to coal-powered plants
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Spain's state aid for coal power plants to establish whether it is in line with EU rules, the executive said on Monday (27 November). EURACTIV Spain reports.
MEPs to give telecoms regulators new muscle to police big firms
MEPs in charge of a sweeping new telecoms reform want to give national watchdogs new powers to control operators in countries where there is not enough competition.
EU telecoms watchdog: ‘We are independent and we bother powerful people’
Sébastien Soriano spoke to EURACTIV about what Yoda can teach us about EU telecoms law, accusations that he is lobbying to change draft rules, net neutrality and the likely new Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.
EU, Gazprom buy time to settle gas antitrust case
Gazprom and the European Commission need further talks to assess the Russian gas giant's compliance with EU competition law, they said after a meeting yesterday (29 May) in Brussels.
Poland’s PGNiG urges tough stance in EU antitrust case against Gazprom
State-run Polish oil and gas company PGNiG urged the European Commission today (18 May) to take a tough stance in its antitrust investigation into Gazprom, saying the Russian company should have to pay a fine and sell assets.
EU fines Facebook €110 million over WhatsApp deal
European Union antitrust regulators fined Facebook €110 million on Thursday (18 May) for giving misleading information during a vetting of its deal to acquire messaging service WhatsApp in 2014.
Croatia passes law to rescue debt-laden giant Agrokor
Croatia passed an emergency law yesterday (6 April) aimed at protecting the economy from big company failures as Agrokor, the country's largest private firm, seeks to resolve its debt crisis.
Privatisation of Greek gas grid operator DESFA fails
Greece said yesterday (30 November) that talks to sell a 66% stake in gas grid operator DESFA to Azerbaijan's state-owned oil company, SOCAR, were not successful.
Vestager’s poisoned Apple
Kicking the big guy in the shins is always a popular political diversion – particularly when the big guy in question is an American multinational, writes Dick Roche.
Telecoms operators will face new rules on competition with rivals
Telecoms companies will face new rules on how they can access internet networks under a change to EU law that could stoke tensions between large, former monopolies and smaller operators.