The UK Government and the European Union have formally concluded technical negotiations on the UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement, aimed at bolstering collaboration between their respective competition authorities.
The agreement is designed to facilitate greater dialogue between the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the European Commission, and the National Competition Authorities of EU Member States. It will enhance the enforcement of global competition laws, benefiting businesses in both regions while protecting consumers.
“This forthcoming agreement recognizes the importance of our continued cooperation between UK and EU competition authorities,” Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said. “This milestone underscores our shared recognition of the importance of international cooperation in an increasingly globalized economy.”
The cooperation is expected to streamline efforts in handling parallel cases, such as sharing information on investigations into unfair competition practices that span borders between the UK and EU Member States. This initiative complements Prime Minister Reynolds’ recent call for UK regulators to support the government’s growth mission during the International Investment Summit.
“The agreement will allow us to work even more closely with EU competition authorities on shared cases and common competition issues—without unnecessary barriers,” said Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA. “Effective competition plays a key role in driving economic growth, so it’s essential that competition authorities can cooperate freely to achieve the best outcomes for businesses and consumers.”
The UK and EU plan to sign the agreement in the coming year, with Parliament set to scrutinize the text once published. The UK Government remains committed to promoting open and fair competition globally, establishing a framework for cooperation between competition authorities and their international counterparts.
