More efficient detection of anticompetitive practices, better system for state aid monitoring and more efficient methods of evaluating concentrations of enterprises - these are the priorities of the Competition policy for 2008-2010, adopted by the Council of Ministers.

One of the main objectives stipulated in the Competition policy for 2008-2010 is improving the effectiveness of the activities of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. Although the existing legal regulations make it possible to fight anticompetitive practices effectively, it is necessary to adapt them to the changes occurring in the world economy in connection to the processes of globalisation and the development of new technologies. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the system of detecting and proving anticompetitive practices, including by controlling and searching electronic data carriers.

Better effectiveness will also be achieved thanks to the creation of guidelines specifying the ways how law-breaking enterprises are punished by UOKiK. In the coming years, the Office is also planning to increase the amount of fines imposed on enterprises which have infringed competition regulations and to further develop the leniency programme. The risk of high fines is supposed to prevent enterprises from infringing the law and at the same time, to encourage them to cooperate with UOKiK in order to receive a reduced penalty.

Other priorities of the President of UOKiK in her capacity as the authority responsible for competition issues are related to furthering the efficiency of the system for state aid monitoring and improving the methods of assessing the effects of the mergers and acquisitions under the Office’s review. It is also necessary to better eliminate prohibited practices on the local markets, since such irregularities, although hardly noticible from the perspective of the entire economy, are very detrimental for consumers.

The next two years will also see continued efforts aimed to support and create competition in thr regulated sectors - the power industry, electronic communications, railway transport, air transport and postal services. The functioning of these markets is under the responsibility of regulators, which, above all, have the power to impose and enforce regulatory obligations. The role of UOKiK is to support them by way of counteracting practices which hinder the development of competition in these markets. In recent years, the Office has been conducting many proceedings against former monopolists, including PKP Cargo and Telekomunikacja Polska, and regarding the abuse of a dominant position.

The Competition policy for 2008-2010 also envisages increasing the level of competition in the whole economy. To achieve this, i.a. further works are going to be undertaken to liberalise the access to the liberal professions. This relates above all to the legal professions, but also the professions related to creating and trading in real property, such as architects or real property agents.

An important objective, stipulated in the government Strategy, is Poland’s active involvement abroad, including participating in the creation of international competition policy and exchanging information and technologies with other countries.

One of the tools of developing competition is increasing the awareness of business operators and consumers. The need to increase the awareness of professional market participants was confirmed by a survey conducted in 2006 for UOKiK. It showed that every fourth business operator was willing to conclude a price fixing agreement, and every third - to impose unfavourable terms on his contractors. This, in particular refers, to small and medium size companies, which display the lowest awareness as regards antitrust law. In the period 2008-2010, educational activities among associations of entrepreneurs will be undertaken in a wider scope than ever before. It is also necessary to educate consumers - the weaker market participants are not always aware that the lack of competition on the market may affect the quality or price of the goods they purchase.

Educational activities will also be addressed at local authorities. Due to their lack of knowledge of antitrust regulations, the local authorities, on one hand, frequently break competition law, i.e. by abusing a dominant position, and, on the other hand, they themselves fall victim to unfair activities, such as bid rigging.

UOKiK is responsible for the implementation of the Strategy. The powers of the Office include carrying out administrative proceedings against enterprises which have infringed antitrust law, controlling consolidations of enterprises and monitoring state aid. Together with other authorities, UOKiK also undertakes efforts related to the popularisation of the knowledge on competition.

Further information:
Małgorzata Cieloch, Spokesperson for UOKiK
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw, Poland
Tel. (+48 22) 827 28 92, 55 60 106, 55 60 430
faks (+48 22) 826 11 86
E-mail: mcieloch@uokik.gov.pl