Major Developments and Policy issues in EU Competition Law IBC Competition Law Review Conference 16th April 2013 By Tony Reeves Partner, Clifford Chance LLP CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AND POLICY ISSUES IN EU COMPETITION LAW IBC Competition Law Review Conference 16th April 2013 By Tony Reeves Partner, Clifford Chance LLP 124587-3-493-v1.1 This paper offers an overview of the major EU competition law developments over the past year. The views expressed in this paper are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Clifford Chance LLP or any of its clients. I would like to thank Michelle Ryan and Emma Wallace for their help in compiling this paper. Tony Reeves Office Managing Partner Clifford Chance LLP 65, Avenue Louise, box 2 1050 Brussels Belgium Direct dial: +32 2 533 5943 Fax: +32 2 533 5959 Email: [email protected] Page | 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Article 101 TFEU ............................................................................................................................. 6 1.2 Article 102 TFEU ........................................................................................................................... 11 1.3 Mergers .......................................................................................................................................... 15 1.4 Practice and Procedure ................................................................................................................... 17 1.5 Policy Developments ..................................................................................................................... 20 2. ARTICLE 101 TFEU ................................................................................................................................ 22 2.1 Commission Decisions – Cartels.................................................................................................... 22 2.1.1 Water Management Products - 27 June 2012 ...................................................................... 22 2.1.2 Gas Insulated Switchgear (Re-Adoption) – 27 June 2012 ................................................... 22 2.1.3 Cathode Ray Tubes - 5 December 2012 ................................................................................ 23 2.1.4 Iberian Telecoms – 20 January 2013 .................................................................................... 25 2.2 Commission Decisions – Other ...................................................................................................... 26 2.2.1 Areva & Siemens – 18 June 2012 .......................................................................................... 26 2.2.2 English-Language Teaching Books – 10 October 2012 ....................................................... 27 2.2.3 e-Books – 13 December 2012 ................................................................................................. 27 2.3 Public Ongoing Commission Investigations – Cartels ................................................................... 28 2.3.1 Smart Card Chips .................................................................................................................. 28 2.3.2 Cement and Related Products ............................................................................................... 28 2.3.3 Underwater Cables ................................................................................................................. 29 2.3.4 North Sea Shrimps ................................................................................................................. 30 2.3.5 Czech Electricity and Lignite Sector..................................................................................... 30 2.3.6 Automotive Electrical and Electronic Components ............................................................ 30 2.3.7 Polyurethane Foam ................................................................................................................ 31 2.3.8 Paper Envelopes ..................................................................................................................... 31 2.3.9 Truck Sector ........................................................................................................................... 31 2.3.10 Baltic Rail Freight .................................................................................................................. 32 2.3.11 Container Shipping Lines ...................................................................................................... 32 2.3.12 Industrial Engines .................................................................................................................. 32 2.3.13 Seatbelts, Airbags (Automotive Occupant Safety Equipment) ........................................... 32 2.3.14 Natural Gas ............................................................................................................................. 32 2.3.15 Euro Interest Rate Derivatives .............................................................................................. 33 2.3.16 Bearings for Automotive and Industrial Use ....................................................................... 33 2.3.17 French Water Sector .............................................................................................................. 33 2.3.18 Electricity Sector .................................................................................................................... 34 2.3.19 Car Air Conditioning ............................................................................................................. 34 2.3.20 Plastic Pipes and Pipe Fittings ............................................................................................... 34 2.3.21 Computer CD and DVD Drives ............................................................................................. 34 2.3.22 Maritime Transport Services ................................................................................................ 34 2.3.23 Lead Recycling Sector ............................................................................................................ 34 2.3.24 Retail Food Packaging ........................................................................................................... 35 2.4 Ongoing Commission Investigations – Other ................................................................................ 35 2.4.1 Continental/United/Lufthansa/Air Canada .......................................................................... 35 2.4.2 Perindopril (Servier) .............................................................................................................. 36 2.4.3 French Generics ...................................................................................................................... 36 2.4.4 Citalopram (Lundbeck) ......................................................................................................... 37 2.4.5 P&I Clubs (Marine Insurance Agreements) ........................................................................ 37 2.4.6 Lufthansa/Turkish Airlines ................................................................................................... 38 2.4.7 Modafinil (Cephalon and Teva) ............................................................................................ 38 2.4.8 e-Payment Standards ............................................................................................................. 38 2.4.9 Fentanyl (Johnson & Johnson and Novartis) ....................................................................... 39 Page | 3 2.4.10 TAP/Brussels Airlines ............................................................................................................ 39 2.4.11 Refrigerants for Car Air-Conditioning Systems .................................................................. 40 2.4.12 European Minibulk and Container Feeder Cooperatives ................................................... 40 2.4.13 Air France/KLM/Alitalia/Delta ............................................................................................. 41 2.5 Judgments of the General Court ..................................................................................................... 41 2.5.1 MasterCard – 24 May 2012 ................................................................................................... 41 2.5.2 Acrylic Glass – 5 June 2012 ................................................................................................... 42 2.5.3 Carbonless Paper – 27 June 2012 .......................................................................................... 43 2.5.4 Zips and Fasteners – 27 June 2012 ........................................................................................ 45 2.5.5 Natural Gas – 29 June 2012 ................................................................................................... 46 2.5.6 Dutch Bitumen – 27 September 2012 .................................................................................... 48 2.5.7 Flat Glass – 27 September 2012 ............................................................................................. 51 2.5.8 Underwater Cables - 14 November 2012 .............................................................................. 53 2.5.9 Calcium Carbide & Magnesium