Companies increasingly use algorithms to set prices and create or enhance new products and services. While algorithms can result in many efficiency-enhancing and pro-competitive effects, they can also be used by firms to restrict competition. Competition authorities should be aware of these...

This paper discusses the main benefits of an effective communication strategy and the tools available to competition authorities to communicate the benefits of competition. It was prepared as a background note for discussions on “Assessing and Communicating the Benefits of Competition...

This paper provides an overview of some of the key behavioural biases and their potential impact on competition. It was prepared as a background note for discussions on “Integrating Consumer Behaviour Insights in Competition Enforcement” held during the June 2022 session of the OECD...

This paper sets out the objectives and scope of application of debarment sanctions in different jurisdictions; describes the practical issues associated with their application; and suggests ways to maximise their effectiveness. It was prepared as a background note for discussions on “Director...

This background note considers how competition contributes to lower inflation, despite its unsuitability as a short-term anti-inflationary tool. It explains why competition is important for optimal inflation and summarises some of the empirical evidence of this relationship. It then considers...

This paper explores the longer- and shorter-term challenges of the energy markets and their competition policy implications. It considers why wholesale natural gas and electricity prices have risen so much and the public policy responses to high energy prices. It was prepared as a background...

This paper highlights recent trends on FDI screening to safeguard essential security interests and merger control mechanisms while exploring the relationship between investment and competition policies. It was prepared as a background note for discussions on “The Relationship between FDI...

This paper covers the interactions between competition authorities and sector regulators, formally and in practice, in the most frequent situation when the competition authority is a stand-alone body that enforces competition law in all sectors. In addition, it focuses on enforcement cases,...

This paper considers several competition policy challenges related to market power in the digital era, including questions about the relationship between new regulatory concepts related to market power and established enforcement concepts such as dominance. It was prepared as a background note...