The Czech and Slovak Republics recently adopted Act No 143/2001
Coll, and Act No 136/2001 Coll, respectively, on the protection of
economic competition. The acts became effective on July 1 (Czech
Act) and May 1 (Slovak Act). While the acts are similar and
incorporate the EU approach towards the protection of economic
competition, they differ in key respects on the regulation of
economic competition.
Agreements, decisions or practices affecting
competition
The acts stipulate that agreements, decisions or practices
between companies which may have an adverse affect on economic
competition in the Czech or Slovak Republic (agreements) are
prohibited unless the relevant anti-monopoly office (Czech Office
and Slovak Office, respectively) grants an exception by way of
resolution or generally applicable decrees. Such decrees are
similar to block exemptions under EU law.
Under the Slovak Act, agreements between companies whose
combined share in the relevant market exceeds 10% are subject to
the...