France

• Pages: 1-103

CHAPTER 8

FRANCE

France-3

CONTENTS

A. OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 9

1. General Policies Underlying Competition Laws ......................................... 9

a. Introduction......................................................................................... 9

b. Principal Objectives ............................................................................ 9

c. Role of Economic Doctrines and Analysis ......................................... 9

2. Overview of Applicable Statutes ................................................................. 9

3. Overview of Structure, Independence, and Jurisdiction of

Enforcement Agencies .............................................................................. 10

4. Overview of Structure, Independence, and Jurisdiction of

Judicial Authorities ................................................................................... 11

B. SUBSTANTIVE LAW ............................................................................................ 11

1. Horizontal Agreements and Practices ....................................................... 11

a. Generally........................................................................................... 11

(1) Elements of the Prohibition ...................................................... 12

(2) Exemptions Pursuant to Article L.420-4 of the

Commercial Code ..................................................................... 13

(3) De Minimis Threshold ............................................................. 14

b. Cartel Enforcement ........................................................................... 14

(1) Agreements Covered ................................................................ 14

(a) Price Fixing ....................................................................... 14

(b) Market Allocation .............................................................. 15

(c) Bid Rigging ....................................................................... 15

(d) Boycott .............................................................................. 16

(2) Enforcement Authorities .......................................................... 16

(3) Investigatory Procedure ............................................................ 17

(a) General .............................................................................. 17

(b) Dawn Raids ....................................................................... 18

(c) Compelled Testimony under Oath ..................................... 20

(d) Compelled Production of Documents................................ 20

(e) Compelled Production of Written Responses

or Interrogatories ............................................................... 20

(f) Wiretapping ....................................................................... 21

(4) Leniency Program .................................................................... 21

(a) Full Exemption .................................................................. 22

(b) Partial Exemption .............................................................. 23

(c) Procedure ........................................................................... 23

(5) Financial Fines and Penalties ................................................... 24

(a) Maximum Amount Imposed under the

Ordinary Procedure ........................................................... 24

(b) Maximum Amount Imposed under the

Simplified Procedure ......................................................... 25

(c) Maximum Amount Imposed under the

Settlement Procedure ......................................................... 25

c. Treatment of Intragroup Conspiracy or Acts by

Related Companies ........................................................................... 25