By Foo Yun Chee
BRUSSELS, March 22 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators outlined a proposal on Wednesday aimed at giving national watchdogs in the 28-country bloc more power to crack down on anti-competitive practices and also ward off political interference.
The move by the European Commission came after a study it commissioned found shortcomings in the way competition agencies were equipped and structured, preventing them from doing their work effectively.
Antitrust experts say the EU enforcer was also concerned by the ousting of several high level officials at some national agencies by their governments in the last two years.
"We want all national competition authorities to be able to take decisions fully independently and have effective tools at their disposal to stop and sanction infringements," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.
The proposal also aims to ensure that national agencies have the necessary funding and staff, and the right to search mobile phones, laptops and tablets for evidence of wrongdoing.
The Commission's study showed that Austria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Sweden and Slovakia, for example, have limited powers in this respect.
The proposal needs the green light from EU member states and the European Parliament before it can become law.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Philip Blenkinsop) ((foo.yunchee@thomsonreuters.com)(+32 2 287 6844)(Reuters Messaging: foo.yunchee.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
BRUSSELS, March 22 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators outlined a proposal on Wednesday aimed at giving national watchdogs in the 28-country bloc more power to crack down on anti-competitive practices and also ward off political interference.
The move by the European Commission came after a study it commissioned found shortcomings in the way competition agencies were equipped and structured, preventing them from doing their work effectively.
Antitrust experts say the EU enforcer was also concerned by the ousting of several high level officials at some national agencies by their governments in the last two years.
"We want all national competition authorities to be able to take decisions fully independently and have effective tools at their disposal to stop and sanction infringements," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.
The proposal also aims to ensure that national agencies have the necessary funding and staff, and the right to search mobile phones, laptops and tablets for evidence of wrongdoing.
The Commission's study showed that Austria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Sweden and Slovakia, for example, have limited powers in this respect.
The proposal needs the green light from EU member states and the European Parliament before it can become law.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Philip Blenkinsop) ((foo.yunchee@thomsonreuters.com)(+32 2 287 6844)(Reuters Messaging: foo.yunchee.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
