Only the notices and information leaflets published on the Bundeskartellamt’s website (www.bundeskartellamt.de) are the official versions of the Bundeskartellamt's administrative principles. These currently include the following publications:

• Information leaflet on the German control of concentrations 
• Information leaflet on domestic effect 
• Information leaflet on procedures for post-merger notification 
• Information leaflet on the possibilities of cooperation for small and medium-sized enterprises 
• Notice on the non-prosecution of cooperation agreements of minor importance (“de minimis notice”) 
• Guidelines on the setting of fines 
• Leniency programme for hardcore cartels 
• Notice on the application of Section 20 (4), sentence 2 ARC (offer below cost price)

Click here for information leaflets on the ban on cartels, the German control of concentrations and public procurement law.

Click here for Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen (Competition Act – Act against Restraints of Competition, ARC).

In accordance with EC Regulation 1/2003 the Bundeskartellamt has been obliged from 1 May 2004 to apply Art. 81 or Art. 82 of the EC Treaty in addition to national competition law to agreements between companies, decisions of associations of companies, concerted practices and abusive conduct which are likely to affect trade between the Member States. According to Art. 3 (2) of Regulation 1/2003, Article 81 of the EC Treaty takes precedence over the application of national regulations.

Questions raised by individual cases should be clarified with the competent decision division.

The following information leaflets on the control of abusive practices are available:

In addition you will also find a list of recommended general terms and conditions of business as notified to the Bundeskartellamt.

Apart from the Bundeskartellamt, the competition authorities of the “Länder“ are also contact partners for the application of competition law.

Click “Activity Report” for illustrations of how and by what principles the Bundeskartellamt applies competition law.