News
Conference report: "Building Competition Institutions for Sustainable Growth. A Retrospective on the Role of Competition Law and Policy in Central and Eastern Europe 20 years after EU Enlargement and Lessons for the Future"
On 27 May, the University of Warsaw hosted the high-level conference “Building Competition Institutions for Sustainable Growth”, marking two decades since the EU’s 2004 enlargement. The event brought together academics, policy experts, and senior enforcement officials to reflect on the development of competition law and institutions in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and to examine the challenges ahead.
Key discussions addressed the integration of sustainability into competition policy, the evolving interplay between market forces and state intervention, and the institutional resilience of National Competition Authorities (NCAs). Participants engaged critically with the Draghi Report and its implications for EU strategic autonomy, with views ranging from optimism about institutional reform to concerns about regulatory overreach and geopolitical dependency.
A keynote by Inge Bernaerts (DG COMP) emphasised the constitutional underpinnings of EU competition policy and reaffirmed the importance of NCA independence, including fixed mandates and budgetary safeguards. She also highlighted the EU’s broader conception of consumer welfare, noting that while competition policy can create conditions for innovation, it cannot compel it.
Discussions on the food value chain revealed the increasing relevance of competition authorities in addressing concentration and unfair trading practices, especially under the UTP Directive. Throughout the panels, a recurring theme was the need for a careful balance between legal principles, economic analysis, and public policy goals—ensuring that competition enforcement remains both effective and forward-looking in a rapidly changing environment.
See the conference report for more details!
iKAR vol. 2025, 1(14) is published
It is our pleasure to inform that iKAR vol. 2025, 1(14) is published:
https://press.wz.uw.edu.pl/ikar/
Number 1(14)/2025, devoted to latest issues in consumer law was edited by prof. dr hab. Monika Namysłowska and dr Adrianna Michałowicz, Faculty of Law and Administration University of Lodz
International PhD Workshop “Addressing the Rule of Law” 10 April 2025
Brunel Law School, Brunel University of London, UK, in collaboration with the Faculty of Law of Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania, and the Centre for Antitrust and Regulatory Studies of the University of Warsaw (CARS), with the support of ASCOLA (Academic Society for Competition Law), warmly invites you to its international PhD webinar “Addressing the Rule of Law” on the 10th of April 2025 (online) 12:30-15:00 UK time (13.30-16:00 CET).
The event is free, but registration is required.
To register, please email Dr Mohammad Nayyeri,
Download full programme or see below
International conference "Building Competition Institutions for Sustainable Growth. A Retrospective on the Role of Competition Law and Policy in Central and Eastern Europe 20 years after EU Enlargement and Lessons for the Future"
A Retrospective on the Role of Competition Law and Policy in Central and Eastern Europe 20 years after EU Enlargement and Lessons for the Future", which is organised on May 27th, 2025 in the Library of the University of Warsaw, ul. Dobra 56/66, Warszawa, Room 316 (3rd Floor).
Organizing institutions: University College London, University of Warsaw, Inclusive Competition, ASCOLA Central Europe Chapter
Conference’s partner: Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, Poland (UOKiK)
The recently published Draghi report on EU competition policy's future has ignited intense discussion among experts, particularly regarding its proposals to modernize EU competition law. While some view EU competition enforcement as hindering industrial policy and growth initiatives, this perspective overlooks competition policy's broader role. In today's era of entrepreneurial states and mission-driven economies, competition policy serves to both create and shape markets, fostering innovation and competitiveness.
The transformation of Central and Eastern European (CEE) Member States over the past two decades since joining the EU exemplifies how growth-oriented policies can harmoniously coexist with competition protection and market access initiatives. Despite being sometimes portrayed as Europe's economic periphery, these nations have achieved remarkable progress: their real GDP per capita has doubled or significantly increased, while both nominal and real wages have grown at rates substantially exceeding the EU average. Simultaneously, these countries implemented market liberalization policies and strengthened their competitive frameworks through the establishment of independent competition authorities.
New iKAR vol. 2024, 4(13) is published
It is our pleasure to inform that iKAR vol. 2024, 4(13) is published:
https://press.wz.uw.edu.pl/ikar/
Number 4(13)/2024, focused on the impact of European Union membership on the public enforcement of prohibitions against antitrust practices in Poland was edited by dr hab. Grzegorz Materna, prof. INP PAN.
New iKAR vol. 2024, 3(13) is published
It is our pleasure to inform that iKAR vol. 2024, 3(13) is published:
https://press.wz.uw.edu.pl/ikar/vol13/iss3/
Number 3(13)/2024, devoted to energy transition was edited by Dr. Marcin Kraśniewski and Dr. Aleksandra Lubicz-Posochowska of the University of Economics in Katowice
dr Joanna Mazur received funding from NCN (OPUS grant)
Dr Joanna Mazur received funding from the National Science Centre (NCN), Poland (grant OPUS) for the research project "New legal acts, old enforcement problems? Disentangling the complexities of the enforcement of EU law concerning digital technologies" 2024/53/B/HS5/00169. See more about the project.
dr hab. Maciej Bernatt received funding from NCN (SONATA BIS grant)
Dr hab. Maciej Bernatt received funding from the National Science Centre (NCN), Poland (SONATA BIS grant) for the research project "Competition Law Through Constitutional Lenses: Integrating Socio-Economic and Environmental Values in a Time of Just Transition" 2023/50/E/HS5/00482. See more about the project.
New iKAR vol. 2024, 2(13) is published
It is our pleasure to inform that iKAR vol. 2024, 2(13) is published: https://press.wz.uw.edu.pl/ikar/vol13/iss2/
Number 2(13)/2024, devoted to the challenges of the competition and consumer protection and regulation of market for travel services was edited by Dr Dominik Borek from SGH Warsaw School of Economics and Dr Dominik Wolski from Kozminski University
YARS 2023 vol. 17(29) published
We are excited to share that the new issue of YARS vol. 17(29), edited by Laura Zoboli and Maciej Bernatt, has just been published. The issue addresses the regulatory and competition law challenges linked to data sharing.
See the full issue or overview of the articles
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