Download This PaperBehavioural versus Structural Remedies in EU Competition Law
Maier-Rigaud, Frank P. (2016) Behavioural versus Structural Remedies in EU Competition Law, chapter 7, 207-224 in: Philip Lowe, Mel Marquis and Giorgio Monti (eds.), European Competition Law Annual 2013, Effective and Legitimate Enforcement of Competition Law, Hart Publishing.
18 Pages Posted: 23 Jun 2014 Last revised: 20 May 2016
Date Written: June 22, 2014
Abstract
This paper discusses the asymmetric use of structural remedies in merger control and antitrust in EU competition law. This asymmetry is explained by what is considered an erroneous legal perception concerning the subsidiarity of structural remedies over behavioural ones under Article 7 of Regulation 1/2003. This paper sets out to contribute to the clarification of the role of structural remedies from a competition policy perspective but also from the perspective of the concerned companies on which such measures would be imposed. In addition to the economic arguments that would speak in favour of rehabilitating structural remedies in abuse of dominance cases, it is argued that the Commission clearly has the legal means of following such a more economic approach in the choice of remedies. In light of the original Commission proposal for a new Regulation and on the basis of the finally adopted text that seemingly professes the impression of a priority of behavioural remedies over structural ones, a content preserving reformulation of Article 7 of Regulation 1/2003 is proposed.
Keywords: antitrust remedies, behavioural remedies, structural remedies, cease and desist
JEL Classification: K21, L40
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
