The European Commission has adopted proposals for Council decisions to sign and conclude the EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement. This agreement establishes a clear framework for collaboration on competition matters between the Commission, EU Member States competition authorities, and the UKs Competition and Markets Authority. It ensures that significant antitrust and merger investigations are shared. It also enables the coordination of investigations among the involved jurisdictions, with EU involvement from either the Commission or Member State competition authorities. The exchange of confidential information will still require the consent of the providing company.

This agreement supplements the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, providing for competition cooperation and coordination.

Next steps

The agreement will take effect after ratification by both the EU and the UK. The Council is invited to adopt a decision to formally sign and then conclude the agreement, which will also require the consent of the European Parliament.

Background

This agreement follows a June 2023 Council Decision authorizing the Commission to open negotiations with the UK. In October 2024, it was announced that negotiations at the technical level were completed.