About competition matters

How competition cases arise

The DCCA identifies competition cases through market research, discussion with market players and cooperation with other competition authorities.

In addition, every year we receive a number of inquiries about competition matters from businesses and citizens.

The DCCA also deals with mergers and requests from companies for exemptions and non-intervention statements in relation to parts of the Danish Competition Act.

Prioritisation of competition cases

Every year, the DCCA investigates over 100 cases of possible infringements of the Danish Competition Act. However, we receive far more complaints than we can process and that is why we conduct a careful prioritising of which cases to investigate.

We assess whether to pursue a case of possible infringement of the Danish Competition Act based on the following criteria:

• The gravity of the infringement of the Act
• The expected impact on the market, the competition culture and the economy as a whole
• The importance, i.e. whether the case involves an issue which has not previously been clarified in legal practice
• The expected resource cost of the case to the DCCA
  

Read more about our prioritisation of tasks

Types of competition cases

Different bodies are involved in a competition case, depending on the nature of the infringement.

• The DCCA can order companies to terminate contracts or amend conditions of trade which violate the Danish Competition Act.
• The Competition Council examines any major and principal infringements of the Danish Competition Act.
• Competition cases where the infringement is considered intentional or grossly negligent, and where there is - or where it can be obtained - clear evidence of the infringement are referred to the State Prosecutor for Serious Economic and International Crime (SEIC). SEIC then investigates the matter with a view to bringing charges resulting in fines before the courts.