The HCC’s 2023 Annual Report was published this month. The Annual Report presents its substantial and manifold work which is marked by significant and innovative interventions in the economic life of our country.
In 2023, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) adopted more than 20 decisions, including the decision on the case concerning the banking sector, imposed fines of more than 40 million euros and significantly increased the consumer surplus, not only compared to the previous year (2022) but also to the previous decade of competition law enforcement. Furthermore, the HCC completed the assessment of a number of notified acquisitions and mergers, either under the in-depth or the more simplified merger review procedure, conducted 10 on-site inspections (dawn raids) at the premises of almost 40 undertakings, concluded 2 sector inquiries and one regulatory intervention in the press distribution sector. In 2023, the HCC has also carried out a number of other market studies such as, inter alia, mapping studies regarding specific product categories that are important for the Greek economy and consumers, a review of compliance with its decisions and an investigation into possible obstruction of a dawn raid carried out by officials of the HCC’s Directorate-General for Competition.
Over the reference period, the HCC also had a noteworthy international presence both in the European Competition Network (ECN) and in a number of international bodies, such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Competition Network (ICN) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In particular, the HCC took several initiatives in the context of its participation in these different networks and the bilateral relations it has developed with national competition authorities in the EU and worldwide, including competition authorities in the Arab world and the African Continent to which it conveys expertise both in competition law and economics and in the use of advanced technological tools such as AI and data analysis platforms in the context of European programs.
At the same time, the HCC invested in awareness-raising and providing information on competition issues to citizens and businesses by issuing two guides aimed at promoting competition policies and by organising six conferences.
The outcome of the HCC’s 2023 work reflects the significant effort made by its administration and staff.
The main achievements of the Hellenic Competition Commission in 2023
The HCC’s 2023 Annual Report (in PDF) is available here.
