Netherlands

• Pages: 1-91

CHAPTER 16

NETHERLANDS

N

etherlands-3

CONTENTS

A. OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 7

1. General Policies Underlying Competition Laws ......................................... 7

a. Introduction ......................................................................................... 7

b. Principal Objectives ............................................................................ 7

(1) Consumer Welfare ...................................................................... 7

(2) Protection of Smaller Enterprises ............................................... 8

(3) Nondiscriminatory Enforcement ................................................ 9

(4) Social Welfare Considerations ................................................... 9

c. Role of Economic Doctrines and Analysis ....................................... 11

(1) General ..................................................................................... 11

(2) Use of Specific Economic Analysis ......................................... 11

(3) Use of Economic Analysis in the Courts .................................. 12

2. Overview of the DCA................................................................................ 14

3. Overview of Competition Law Enforcement Agencies ............................ 16

4. Overview of Judiciary ............................................................................... 19

5. Additional Policy and Practical Considerations ........................................ 20

a. Existence and Availability of Private Rights of Action .................... 20

b. Cost and Time Considerations in Litigation ..................................... 20

c. Intervention ....................................................................................... 21

d. Proceedings before the Administrative Judge ................................... 22

e. Cost and Time Considerations in Administrative Proceedings ......... 22

B. SUBSTANTIVE LAW ............................................................................................ 23

1. Horizontal Agreements and Practices ....................................................... 23

a. Generally ........................................................................................... 23

b. Cartel Enforcement ........................................................................... 25

(1) Agreements Covered ................................................................ 25

(2) Enforcement Authorities .......................................................... 26

(3) Investigatory Procedures .......................................................... 26

(a) General .............................................................................. 26

(b) Search and seizure ............................................................. 26

(c) Compelled testimony under oath ....................................... 27

(d) Compelled production of documents ................................. 27

(e) Compelled production of written returns

and interrogatories ............................................................. 27

(4) Leniency Program .................................................................... 27

(5) Penalties ................................................................................... 30

(a) Fines .................................................................................. 31

(b) Periodic penalty payments ................................................. 34

c. Treatment of Intragroup Conspiracy or Acts by Related Companies34

d. Other Horizontal Practices ................................................................ 35

(1) Information Exchanges ............................................................ 36

(2) Recommendations from Trade Associations ............................ 37

(3) Recognition Schemes ............................................................... 38

e. Other Defenses and Exemptions ....................................................... 38

(1) Appreciable Effect .................................................................... 38