Brussels, 19/08/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 19 August 2009, the Commission published its annual report on competition policy for 2008. Neelie Kroes, the Competition Commissioner, announced that the actions carried out by the Commission in the context of the financial crisis "were a determining factor in preserving the single market and the benefits of competition, whilst ensuring stability in the financial system". On State aid, the Commission stresses the usefulness of the general block exemption regulation, which allows analyses to focus on the economic consequences. On the fight against cartels, the Commission recalls that it has introduced a mechanism allowing cases to be resolved with the parties involved, in order to keep the administrative burden as small as possible (and, where possible, to reduce sanctions imposed upon companies which cooperate). The text of the report, which explains a number of cases in detail and provides an overview of the development in the legislation over the year 2008, can be consulted at: http://www.ec.europa.eu/competition/publications/annual_report/index.html
For the first time, the annual report 2008 includes a chapter on "Cartels and Consumers". Several years now, the Commission has been seeking to encourage consumers who have been harmed by cartels to bring these matters before their national jurisdictions. It has even set the example in this field, by taking lift manufacturers who were involved in a cartel to court in Belgium (EUROPE 9689). Experts note, however, that it is difficult for consumers to do the same against suppliers of bananas or beer, as Neelie Kroes would wish to see (EUROPE 9762 and 9409), given the very small sums involved for the consumers, and group actions continue to be faced with a number of practical and legal obstacles. (C.D./trans.fl)