The NMa’s statutory task is straightforward: ‘making markets work’. We monitor effective competition and contribute to markets functioning properly. The effects of this mission have become increasingly evident.

Businesses know that the NMa will take action against anti-competitive restrictions that inhibit their chances of success. Innovation and creative entrepreneurship result in new products and methods of production, thus stimulating competition, while also boosting the competitive force of businesses. This will prove conducive to the competitive power of the Dutch economy in general. Consumers stand to profit by an improved price/quality ratio and a wider choice of products.

In a word, competition generates prosperity.

NMa enforcement powers
NMa enforcement powers are laid down in the Competition Act, the Electricity Act 1998, the Gas Act, the Passenger Transport Act 2000, the Railway Act and the Aviation Act. In addition, the Market Monitoring Registered Pilotage Services Act [Wet markttoezicht registerloodsen] will come into force on 1 January 2008. Moreover, the NMa will apply Articles 81 and 82 EC Treaty (now Art. 101 and 102 TFEU) within the Netherlands.

The NMa’s industry-specific tasks relate to the energy and transport sectors. Industry-specific regulation and monitoring tasks lie with the Office of Energy Regulation (EK) and the Office of Transport Regulation (VK). Both are chambers within the NMa. As such, the NMa is characterised by ‘unity in diversity’: it takes care of general competition enforcement as well as industry-specific regulation. Though these tasks are diverse, a common, centrally important vision on markets and regulatory style is paramount. The organisational structure of the NMa, which is referred to as a ‘chamber model’, creates a valuable synergy.
As of October 1st, 2009, the Office of Energy Regulation and the Office of Transport Regulation have merged into a single department: the Office of Energy and Transport Regulation (DREV).

The effectiveness of NMa enforcement efforts further benefits from cooperation and coordination among market authorities at national level, including the Independent Post and Telecommunications Authority (OPTA), the Dutch Health Authority (NZa), and among international partners.