The latest issue of ECN Brief contains as many as 50 articles on competition policy in the European Union and important issues handled by national antitrust authorities. This magazine is issued free of charge by the European Competition Network and is now available online.

Bulletin is prepared by the European Commission on the basis of materials developed by the European Competition Network (ECN). The second issue contains articles on competition restricting practices in the period between December 2009 and March 2010. The next issue of ECN Brief will be published in mid June 2010. Concerned readers may subscribe ECN Brief free of charge.

The English version of the bulletin consists of 5 parts. The first part is devoted to decisions issued by antitrust authorities and verdicts passed in cases regarding competition restricting practices. The second one presents the latest developments in legislation. The third part discusses, inter alia, events related to antitrust law. The fourth part contains information on particular offices and the fifth one shows statistics in relation to the proceedings in progress. The objective of the bulletin is to enhance transparency of actions undertaken by the European Competition Network, promotion of competition law and dissemination of information on decision-making practices of particular authorities. The current issue contains many articles on decisions made as well as initiatives which concern consumers indirectly. This proves that the ultimate aim of competition law is to ensure that non-professional market participants’ interests are protected.

From the very beginning, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection was actively involved in creating the magazine. Polish contribution includes: the decision of the Supreme Court concerning submission of questions to the European Court of Justice related to the interpretation of Article 5 of the Council Regulation No 1/2003, the Energy Report issued by UOKiK, and the anniversary conference organised by the Office in Warsaw on 27th May 2010 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UOKiK’s establishment.

UOKiK represents Poland in the European Competition Network that has existed since 1st May 2004 on the basis of Council Regulation No 1/2003. It is composed of antitrust offices of the Member States of the European Union. The measures undertaken by the European Competition Network aim to enhance cooperation between the European antitrust authorities, the knowledge exchange and share experiences in combating competition restricting practices. The cooperation framework in ECN is also defined in the Commission Notice on cooperation within the Network of Competition Authorities.

Additional information on ECN:
Sonia Jóźwiak, Expert
Department of International Relations and Communication
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Phone: (+48 22) 55 60 164
faks (+48 22) 826 11 86
E-mail: [SCODE]c29uaWEuam96d2lha0B1b2tpay5nb3YucGw=[ECODE]

Additional information the media:
Małgorzata Cieloch, Spokesperson for UOKiK
Department of International Relations and Communication
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw, Poland
Phone: (+48 22) 827 28 92, 55 60 106, 55 60 430
faks (+48 22) 826 11 86
E-mail: [SCODE]bWFsZ29yemF0YS5jaWVsb2NoQHVva2lrLmdvdi5wbA==[ECODE]