Controlling cartels – Implications of the EU policy reforms

SummaryThere have been significant changes in the control of cartels at EU level. These include a more proactive policy by the Commission, particularly towards ‘hard core’ cartels, the reallocation of responsibilities for controlling cartels between the Commission and Member States under the Modernization programme and the adoption of important new guidelines on leniency and fines in 2006 (with the possibility of further changes on the horizon). The article appraises the new regulatory environment and examines some of the managerial issues posed by the strengthening stance of the European competition authorities towards cartels.