Decision-making powers make the Swedish Competition Authority faster and more efficient

The Swedish Competition Authority currently conducts investigations into suspected violations of competition rules and the authority then goes to court to obtain judgments. This process takes a long time. It is not uncommon for several years to pass before a definitive judgment is obtained. An inquiry has proposed that the Swedish Competition Authority become the initial decision-making authority in cases pertaining to cartels/collusion, market abuse and mergers. It will then be possible to appeal against the Swedish Competition Authority’s decisions in court.

Expanded decision-making powers for the Swedish Competition Authority will increase both the speed and efficiency of supervision in cases involving competition law. This is what the Swedish Competition Authority maintains in its submission to the Government in response to the inquiry’s proposal. The Swedish Competition Authority supports the inquiry’s proposal regarding an expansion of the authority's decision-making powers.

"It is important that we are able to conduct effective investigations. This enables companies to do business in markets that have well-functioning competition, and it benefits consumers and tax payers," says the Competition Authority’s Director-General, Dan Sjöblom.

Expanded decision-making powers for the Swedish Competition Authority can significantly cut the time it takes from the start of an investigation to a legally binding decision. The inquiry’s proposal also guarantees that the rule of law is maintained.

"Reducing the time from suspicions being raised to a final judgment is vital. Companies and consumers that have incurred damages should not have to exist in a state of uncertainty for many years. Faster turn-around times also reduce the temptation to benefit from a prohibited practice up until a legally binding prohibition is in place," says Dan Sjöblom.

Within the EU, and in the majority of EU countries, it has long been the case that the competition authority makes the initial decision, as in the proposed system. Ahead of 1 January 2018, the proposed date for this to come into force, the Swedish Competition Authority will be informing all affected parties about what the new rules entail.

Read the full statement, dnr 464/2016 (in Swedish)