The European competition rules play a major role in EU legislation. Unlike fundamental freedoms which address Member States, competition rules affect companies in terms of restricting and imposing obligations on them. They are aimed at preventing unfair agreements or business practices, and at ensuring that the free competition of the single market is not being impaired.
The general prohibition of cartels and the prohibition of abuse are of key significance: anchored in primary legislation they prohibit any agreements or decisions distorting competition, concerted business practices and the abuse of a dominant position in the single market (Art. 101 and 102 TFEU). These rules apply categorically to all business sectors.
The CEP accompanies the further development of the European legal framework, such as the adoption of the block exemption regulations or guidelines.

New:

• Aid for the Provision of Services of General Economic Interest: Draft Commission Regulation C(2011) 9381

2010:

• CEP Analysis: Subsidised Coal Mining (in German)
• Horizontal Guidelines: Commission's Draft Guidelines
• Block Exemption Regulation for Research and Development Agreements
• Block Exemption Regulation for Specialisation Agreements
• "Best Practices" in cartel and abuse proceedings
• Block Exemption Regulation in the Motor Vehicle Sector

2009:

• Block Exemption Regulation of Vertical Agreements and Draft Guidelines SEC (2009) 946

2008:

• Abusive exclusionary conduct by dominant undertakings: Communication COM(2008) 832

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