The Autorité de la concurrence opens a public consultation with a view to publish a new framework document on competition compliance programmes

Update of the 2012 compliance framework document

A group of experts from the private sector (companies, professional associations and law firms) and representatives of the Autorité de la concurrence was set up in 2020 with the objective of identifying a set of good practices in the field of compliance. The group's work, carried out during 2020 and 2021, showed that market players wanted to be able to benefit from a reference text on compliance programmes in competition law.

It is in this context that the Autorité de la concurrence has decided to update the framework document on competition compliance programmes initially published in 2012 and, since then, withdrawn following the reform of the settlement procedure1.

A new framework document on competition compliance programmes is now subject to public consultation to collect the opinions of all stakeholders.

The text, which includes some of the key elements contained in the 2012 document, has been enriched. It includes an introduction recalling the powers of the Autorité de la concurrence in its market watch mission, as well as three parts respectively dedicated to the benefits of compliance programmes, to the components of these programmes and to compliance players.

The public consultation, in which all stakeholders can participate, is open until 10 December 2021.

Contributions must be communicated to the following address:

conformite@autoritedelaconcurrence.fr

The final adoption of the framework document on competition compliance programmes will take place as soon as possible following the public consultation.

1Press release of 19 October 2017 regarding the settlement procedure and compliance programmes