“European Competition Authorities“ (ECA) is a discussion forum set up by the competition authorities within the European Economic Area, the European Commission and the EFTA supervisory authority. Founded in April 2001 the forum’s objective is to improve cooperation between the authorities and to contribute to an effective enforcement of the national laws and the European competition rules. Proposals for improved cooperation are developed by working groups focusing on specific issues. The ECA has already achieved some first work results:

In November 2001 joint principles were published for leniency programmes to uncover and prosecute cartel agreements (Principles for Leniency Programmes).

Since September 2001 the national authorities have informed one another of all merger cases which are notifiable in more than one ECA country (multiple filings). A Procedures Guide on this was adopted in April 2002 based on first experiences. On the whole, cooperation in casework has clearly intensified. The mutual exchange of information has also considerably contributed to the fact that for the first time several national competition authorities have jointly referred merger cases to the European Commission in accordance with Article 22 of the European Merger Regulation.

ECA meetings of the heads of the competition authorities are held twice a year. At the meeting in April 2002 it was decided to continue the working group on multiple filings and to set up a working group on competition issues in the air traffic sector for which the Bundeskartellamt has assumed responsibility.

 Arbeitsgruppe Mehrfachnotifizierungen

	Principles on the application, by National Competition Authorities within the ECA, of Articles 4 (5) and 22 of the EC Merger Regulation
	Grundsätze für die Anwendung von Artikel 4 Absatz 5 und Artikel 22 der Europäischen Fusionskontrollverordnung durch die nationalen Wettbewerbsbehörden der ECA
	ECA procedures guide post Athens

 Arbeitsgruppe Leniency-Programme

Principles for Leniency Programmes

 Arbeitsgruppe Luftverkehr

	Procedures Guide The exchange of information between members on notifications, proceedings and decisions in the field of air transport
	Mergers and Alliances in Civil Aviation - Report of the ECA Air Traffic Working Group
	Loyalty programmes in civil aviation
	Progress Report of the Air Traffic Working Group on Slot Trading
	Code-sharing agreements in scheduled passenger air transport

Arbeitsgruppe Financial Services

	Comparative Study of Competition in Retail Banking and Payments Systems Markets
	Competition Issues in Retail Banking and Payments Systems Markets in the EU - Final Report -