Competition Law at Sweden
Here’s a concise overview of Competition Law in Sweden:
⚖️ Legal Framework
Sweden’s competition law is mainly governed by the Swedish Competition Act (Konkurrenslagen, SFS 2008:579).
The Act implements and complements the European Union’s competition rules (Articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU) since Sweden is an EU member.
The Swedish Competition Authority (Konkurrensverket) enforces the law.
📜 Key Provisions
Anticompetitive Agreements
Prohibits agreements or concerted practices between companies that restrict competition, such as cartels, price-fixing, and market-sharing.
Abuse of Dominant Position
Prevents dominant companies from abusing their market power, including predatory pricing, refusal to supply, or unfair trading conditions.
Merger Control
Mergers meeting certain thresholds (based on turnover and market share) must be notified to the Swedish Competition Authority for approval.
The Authority can prohibit or impose conditions on mergers to prevent a substantial lessening of competition.
Public Procurement
The law also addresses competition in public procurement to ensure fairness and transparency.
🏢 Enforcement Authority
The Swedish Competition Authority (Konkurrensverket) is the independent authority responsible for:
Investigating anticompetitive behavior.
Reviewing and approving mergers.
Imposing sanctions and fines.
Promoting competitive markets through advocacy and guidance.
🔍 Recent Trends and Focus
Increased scrutiny of digital platforms and technology companies.
Enforcement in sectors like telecom, retail, and transport.
Cooperation with the European Commission and Nordic competition authorities.
Emphasis on consumer welfare and sustainable competition.
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