Contents

General Introduction
I.Introduction: the competition rules and the role of the EU Institutions in their enforcement
1.1 The competition rules
1.2 The role of the Commission
1.3 Formal and informal decisions
1.4 The role of the Court ofFirst Instance and the Court of Justice
1.5 Other avenues of redress against infringements
1.6 When and how to approach the Commission

II.Coming into contact with the Commission
2.1 Notifications and applications for exemption and negative clearance
2.1.1 Reasons for notifying
2.1.2 Block exemptions and individual exemptions
2.1.3 Form AfB
2.1.4 Incomplete or inaccurate information
2.1.5 After notification
2.2 Complaining to the Commission
2.3 Ex officio investigations of infringements
2.4 Enquiries into sectors of the economy

III. How the Commission investigates infringements
3.1 Investigations: general comments
3.2 After the in.vestigation
3.3 The role of the national authorities

IV.Requests for information
4.1 The Commission power to request information
4.2 Simple requests for inforrnation
4.3 Requests for information in the form of a binding decision
4.4 Replying to the Commisions rèquest
4.5 Financial penalties

V. On-the-spot investigations
5.1 The Commissions power to carry out 'on-the-spot' investigations
5.2 Inspections conducted 'upon production of an authorization
5.3 Inspections ordered by binding decision
5.3.1 Formal requirements
5.3.2 Duties of firms under investigation
5.4 The role of the competent national authorities
5.4.1The duty to provide assistance
5.5 Safeguards for firms
5.6 The scope of the Commission's powers ofirisection
5.7 Financial penalties

VI Infringement proceedings
6.1 Beginning of infringement proceedings
6.2 The statement ofobjections
6.3 Access to the file
6.4 Written reply
6.5 Oral Hearing
6.6 Rights of the defence
6.7 The confidentialtty of communications between lawyer and client
6.8 Business secrets and the confidentiality of documents
6.9 Restrictions on the use of information
6.10 Judicial review of Commission decisions

VII Third parties and complaints
7.1 The situation of complainants with the Commission
7.2 Access to the file
7.3 Judicial review of Commission decisions

VIII The resolution of the Commission's investigation
8.1 Formal decisions by the Commission
8.2 ínterim measures
8.3 Informal resolution of competition disputes by the Commission
8.4 Judicial review of final decisions
8.5 ínterim relief

Annexes
Annex 1. Major legislative instruments applying Articles 85 and 86, including
block exemption Regulations.
Annex 2. Notices on Competition Policy issued by Commission
Annex 3, Form A/B: Introduction and Operational Part (appended to Commission Regulation 3385/94)
Annex 4. Address of Commission and its Information Offices in the various Member
States and third countries; address of Cellule Information.
Annex 5. Further reading (in various EU languages, including official publications such as Official Journal, Competition Policy Report, Quarterly Newsletter and Yellow Handbook of official texts).