EU Commission Publishes Guidance For Leniency Applicants On Making Oral Statements

On 8 October 2013, the European Commission published guidance for leniency applicants on delivering oral statements at DG Competition. The purpose of the guidance is to explain how an appointment to make an oral statement may be arranged. It further clarifies what should and should not be included in oral corporate statements and provides advice on the submission of annexes to an oral statement. Finally, the procedure for checking the accuracy of audio files and transcripts is also outlined.

Under the Commission's 2006 Leniency Notice (OJ 2006 C298/17), companies voluntarily disclosing information about a cartel or their role in a cartel may make their application by way of oral (as opposed to written) statements. Such corporate statements must be prepared specifically for the leniency application.