Competition Law at Croatia
Here’s a concise overview of Competition Law in Croatia:
Competition Law in Croatia
Croatia’s competition law framework is largely harmonized with European Union competition rules, as Croatia has been an EU member since 2013. The main law regulating competition is the Competition Act (Official Gazette No. 79/09 and subsequent amendments), which implements EU competition rules into national law.
Key Features
1. Regulatory Authority: Croatian Competition Agency (CCA)
The Croatian Competition Agency (Agencija za zaštitu tržišnog natjecanja - AZTN) is the main body responsible for enforcing competition law.
The CCA investigates anti-competitive practices, reviews mergers, and promotes market competition.
2. Prohibited Practices
Cartels and agreements restricting competition: Price-fixing, market or customer allocation, bid rigging.
Abuse of dominant position: Practices such as predatory pricing, refusal to supply, unfair trading terms by dominant firms.
Merger control: Notification and approval required for mergers meeting certain turnover thresholds.
3. Merger Control
Mandatory notification for mergers that exceed certain turnover thresholds:
Combined worldwide turnover of undertakings exceeds €100 million.
At least two undertakings each have turnover in Croatia exceeding €10 million.
The CCA has 90 days (extendable) to review and approve or prohibit mergers.
4. Legal Basis
Competition Act (Zakon o zaštiti tržišnog natjecanja)
Croatian Competition Act aligns with Articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), which govern restrictive agreements and abuse of dominance.
Enforcement of EU regulations and decisions directly applicable in Croatia.
5. Sanctions and Remedies
Fines can reach up to 10% of the annual turnover of the company.
Other measures include injunctions, annulment of anti-competitive agreements, and behavioral or structural remedies.
6. Recent Trends
The CCA actively monitors cartels, abuse of dominance, and public procurement.
Increased focus on digital markets and e-commerce competition.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Croatia |
|---|---|
| Main Law | Competition Act (aligned with EU law) |
| Competition Authority | Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) |
| Cartels | Prohibited, strict enforcement |
| Abuse of Dominance | Prohibited |
| Merger Control | Mandatory filing above thresholds |
| Penalties | Fines up to 10% of turnover |
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