The German Federal Cartel Office
("FCO") has launched a sector inquiry into "online price
comparison websites." This sector inquiry is the first
specific proceeding in which the FCO applies its new competencies in the area of consumer
protection given to it by the 9th amendment to the
German Act against Restraints of Competition
("ARC"). Another sector inquiry
concerning consumer protection issues in everyday digital life
might follow next year.
Background
Sector inquiries are not targeted against individual companies.
Their purpose is to thoroughly examine the conditions on a general
market in order to identify potential infringements of legal
provisions. The FCO will summarise the results of its investigation
in a report. If infringements by individual companies are detected
in the course of the sector inquiry, this might subsequently lead
to the initiation of proceedings against individual companies. In
the past, this was only possible in relation to
