Implementation of the rules on competition

The committee adopted the report by Jonathan EVANS (EPP-ED, UK) amending the proposal under the consultation procedure. It was concerned to strengthen legal certainty for market operators and tabled a number of amendments for that purpose. For example, on the question of when the Commission could intervene to take positive decisions for reasons of the Community public interest, the committee felt that the relevant article could be applied to any agreement having an effect on trade between EU Member States, in certain circumstances. In this way, policy guidance would be available from the Commission before an undertaking entered into an agreement. The committee also wanted to ensure consistency in the application of the rules, and proposed that the form and level of sanctions (such as fines and other penalties) for breaches of competition law be harmonised at EU level to avoid "forum shopping". It also proposed to delete the provision introducing a registration requirement for certain types of agreement, arguing that the value of the proposed registration system had not been satisfactorily established and that such a system would increase red tape for business. Lastly, the report proposed that there should be a two-year transition period and regular reviews of the Regulation.�