New Antitrust Law In Uruguay

Article by Mariana Estradé and Lucía Ottati

On July 30, 2007, Act N° 18.159 (hereinafter the "Antitrust Act" or "Act") which establishes the applicable regulation on Antitrust Law was published in the Official Gazzette.

In this article we will analyze the provisions therein contained as well as the practical consequences the application of this Act may have.

1. Background

Until the approval of this Act, in Uruguay there were two acts which contained certain specific regulations regarding Antitrust Law. These acts established the principle that all companies are subject to competition rules, and stated the forbidden conducts, enumerating, without limitation, specific hypotheses. Also they established the powers of the authority in charge of controlling forbidden acts and conducts, as well as the applicable sanctions.