Competition policy is an important part of economic policy. In an economic system based on a market economy, competition policy has to determine the conditions for a competitive framework which ensure that competition between economic players functions and anti-competitive behaviour is stopped and penalised.

A further challenge for competition policy is advancing digitisation with its effects on the economy and society. The digital economy has given rise to completely new data-driven business models (e.g. online platforms) which function on the principle of “the winner takes it all”, and which have created new, powerful companies in the market within a very short period of time.

In the opinion of the BAK a comprehensive assessment of current competition rules and the adaption of the EU competition law to these new trends is necessary. Therefore, competition policy must take into account these changed conditions, both from the point of view of workers and of consumers.