International activities

The NMa works with the European Commission and other national competition authorities to promote a consistent approach to tackling anti-competitive practices. The NMa participates in the European Competition Network (ECN) which aims to take action against cross-border business practices restricting competition. To this end, ECN members inform each other of new cases and envisaged enforcement decisions and coordinate investigations. As a result, consumers are better protected against unfair competition at both the national and international levels, compared to when authorities go it alone.

The NMa is also actively engaged in other international organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Competition Authorities (ECA), and the International Competition Network (ICN). Within these organisations the NMa and its international counterparts share experiences and develop and exchange best practices. These discussions contribute to international collaboration and cooperation between competition authorities and foster convergence of national competition regimes. As a result businesses engaged in cross-border activities will better understand the applicable competition rules.

The NMa’s international activities support its mission at both the national and international levels: making markets work.

European Competition Authorities agree Principles for Convergence regarding pecuniary sanctions for undertakings
The European Competition Authorities (ECA), the competition authorities of the European Union (EU) and the other members of the European Economic Area (EEA), have agreed principles for convergence on pecuniary sanctions for undertakings. The document contains general principles shared by the ECA for determining pecuniary sanctions imposed on undertakings for infringements of the prohibitions on cartels and on abuse of dominance.

The principles set out that such sanctions should effectively sanction and deter infringements. They should exceed potential gains that may be expected from the infringement without implying any duty for competition authorities to establish or to quantify such gains and without diminishing their sole objective of deterrence. They should reflect the seriousness of the infringement and its duration. The principles state that an appropriate basis for the calculation of fines would be the value of sales to which the infringement relates, as is already the case for NMa, the European Commission, the British OFT, the German Bundeskartellamt and the competition authorities of Italy, Hungary and Sweden. The principles also mention aggravating (including recidivism) and mitigating circumstances, and other adjustment factors which may be taken into account.

The principles are not legally binding on the European Competition Authorities. The principles are published on the websites of the participating authorities.

The ECA was founded in Amsterdam in April 2001 as a forum for discussion of the competition authorities in the EEA: the Member States of the European Community, the European Commission, the EFTA States Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and the EFTA Surveillance Authority. The ECA's aim is to improve co-operation between competition authorities and contribute to the efficient enforcement of national and European competition law. The co-operation is developed through the organisation of meetings, the establishment of working groups and the exchange of information, experience and staff. Previous work has been undertaken on air traffic issues, leniency, mergers and financial services.

For more information on the NMa's international activities, please contact Ms. Siún O'Keeffe or Ms. Ayesha Budd.

Ms. Ayesha Budd
Advisor European and International Strategy
Email: A.K.Budd@nmanet.nl
Direct phone number: +31-70-330-5009

Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa)
P.O. Box 16326
2500 BH The Hague
The Netherlands