1. Introduction
In the context of the Coronavirus crisis, antitrust law must not
be ignored. Companies, such as those in the supermarket or
pharmaceutical sectors, that normally compete may have to cooperate
in these exceptional circumstances, even under State
recommendations. Such horizontal cooperation is still subject to
antitrust rules. Indeed, the crisis does not justify any kind of
exchange of confidential information or cartels or abusive
practices such as excessive pricing.
While some National Competition Authorities have taken specific
measures in the areas of misleading advertising, unfair commercial
practices and competition law, in Belgium there has been no
announcement by the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA), or the
Belgian Government in general, that changes to Belgian competition
law are necessary or being considered for the time being. However,
the European Competition Network (ECN) has
published a joint statement about the application of
