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CCPC aims to settle probes more quickly

The competition watchdog has published details of a new procedure aimed at settling its investigations more quickly. 

Since September 2023, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) – through independent adjudication officers – has had the power to find that a business has breached competition law and to impose financial sanctions of up to 10% of the business’s annual worldwide turnover, or €10 million (whichever is greater). 

Under the new settlement procedure, the commission can agree to impose a lower financial sanction where the business admits to breaching competition law and agrees to a streamlined procedure to conclude the investigation. 

The CCPC and the business can also agree any actions that will need to be taken to end the breach or to prevent similar breaches from re-occurring. 

Reduced costs 

Commission member Úna Butler said that the new system strengthened the watchdog’s ability to “effectively and efficiently” enforce competition law in Ireland. 

“It provides a clear framework for businesses to resolve investigations promptly while ensuring that breaches are sanctioned appropriately. 

“This increases the likelihood of reaching swift outcomes, reducing costs for the CCPC and businesses,” said Butler, adding that the procedure would also allow it to allocate resources more effectively. 

Conduct of discussions 

The CCPC says that the introduction of the procedure brings it into line with other enforcement authorities in Ireland and internationally. 

The publication today (23 April) follows a public consultation last year, where the CCPC invited interested parties to provide feedback on a draft settlement procedure. 

It says that the main issues raised in the consultation process were the conduct of settlement discussions, the obligations placed on businesses under the procedure, and the level of reduction to the financial sanction that may be applied if a settlement is reached.