DGComp’s Alexander Italianer Speaks On Commitments

On Dec. 11, 2013, in a speech delivered at the CRA Competition Conference in Brussels, Alexander Italianer, the European Commission's Director-General for Competition, clarified the Commission's approach in the negotiation of commitments. The speech also highlighted the benefits of the commitments procedure and explained the circumstances in which the Commission will pursue a prohibition decision.

Italianer explained that the Commission is not bound to accept commitments and commitments that are "quick, sufficient and sensible" are more likely to be acceptable. Commitments should be offered at the first opportunity, preferably before any statement of objections, should offer sound solutions that achieve "real change" in the markets, and should be easy to implement and monitor, he said. Companies should avoid offering conditional commitments.