According to authorities, representatives from EU nations have agreed that the European Union Commission will be the only enforcer of new digital laws, with national antitrust watchdogs playing a restricted role rather than the broader powers requested.
On November 25, EU ministers will formally approve the agreement as part of the bloc’s shared position ahead of discussions with European Union parliamentarians and the Commission on the proposed regulations known as the Digital Single Market Rules.
According to authorities, representatives from EU nations have agreed that the Eu Commission will be the only enforcer of new digital laws, with national antitrust watchdogs playing a restricted role rather than the broader powers requested. On November 25, European Union ministers will formally approve the agreement as part of the bloc’s shared position ahead of discussions with EU parliamentarians and the Commission on the proposed regulations known as the Digital Single Market Rules.
The DMA, suggested last year by EU antitrust commissioner Margrethe Vestager, aims to limit the influence of Google, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon by a set of dos and don’ts. In a joint letter in June, German and French antitrust watchdogs and their colleagues in the other 25 European union nations urged for a larger role in implementing the DMA, citing their experience in digital matters.
“The Commission is the single body authorised to apply this Regulation,” according to an EU document obtained that was accepted by a working group of the Council. “In order to aid the Commission, member countries may authorise competent authorities enforcing competition rules to launch investigative measures into potential breaches of gatekeeper commitments,” the paper stated.
It said that the EU executive would have complete discretion in deciding whether to begin an investigation.
