It appears that the first EU regulatory inspections have resumed
since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a press release from
the European Commission's Competition Law Regulator, DG Comp,
on 22 June 2021 revealing that it carried out an unannounced
inspection, or Dawn Raid, in Germany as part of a cartel
investigation.
The on-going effects of COVID-19 restrictions is evident in the
press release, which states that the Raid was "conducted
in compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols in order to
protect all individuals involved".
The Irish Landscape Since COVID-19
Meanwhile, in Ireland there has been no report of any
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
("CCPC") Dawn Raids under its
competition law powers since COVID-19 restrictions were first
introduced. As regards the CCPC's consumer law inspection
powers, the CCPC has reported a reduction in on-premises
inspections during 2020 due to COVID-19.
