Competition is a benefit for citizens, for companies, for the public sector and, therefore, for society as a whole. As the European Commission highlights, competition fosters business activity and efficiency, and encourages companies to offer a wider range of products at the best prices and with the highest possible quality.
For these reasons, competition policy, by fighting anti-competitive behavior, controlling acquisitions and mergers between companies, supervising State aid and proposing regulatory modifications, promotes fair competition among companies. In addition, citizens can also contribute to competition when they compare the prices, conditions and characteristics of goods and services, and choose the most convenient option, or when they report anti-competitive behavior.
From the consumers' point of view, competition means better quality and price of products and services, as well as greater variety and innovationWhen there is competition in a market, companies rival each other and offer cheaper, more varied and higher quality products. On the contrary, when there is not enough competition in a market, consumers usually have fewer options to choose from.
On the other hand, competition fosters business activity and efficiency, leading companies to offer a wider range of products with the best possible prices and qualities. In a competitive environment, companies invest in research and development and innovate, which leads to an increase in variety and an improvement in the quality of products or services.
Competition benefits companies, because it forces them to strive to give their best version. Competitiveness encourages companies to invest to innovate and improve, to compete in the best conditions in international markets.
Finally, the public sector is also a consumer of the products and services offered by companies and, therefore, also benefits from competition.
The greatest benefit of competition occurs through public procurement. That is, when the public sector acquires goods and services, competition among companies makes these products cheaper, more varied, and of higher quality. This allows those savings to be allocated to other needs. Ultimately, it allows for a more efficient use of public budget resources, which benefits everyone.
The functions of the ACCO in the economy
In Catalonia, the body responsible for promoting free competition and transparency in markets is the Autoritat Catalana de la Competència (ACCO). The ACCO is an independent body of the Generalitat de Catalunya, regulated by Law 1/2009, of February 12. To fulfill its objective, the ACCO has two main functions: the defense of competition and the promotion of competition.
In the field of competition defense, when the ACCO becomes aware of a possible anti-competitive conduct, it carries out actions to verify its existence and, if applicable, imposes sanctions. This function includes investigations to detect anti-competitive behaviors.
In this regard, it should be noted that the ACCO is responsible for cases related to economic activities carried out mainly in Catalonia. Thus, depending on the places affected by the anti-competitive conduct, the case may fall under the ACCO, the CNMC, or the Directorate-General for Competition of the European Commission. In any case, the ACCO collaborates with other competition authorities.
Regarding the promotion of competition, the ACCO conducts studies of sectors and markets, and analyzes the regulation and actions of public administrations. As a result of these activities, it recommends regulatory changes to authorities and disseminates the culture of competition among companies, public entities, academia, media, consumers, etc.
Presentation of a new document
On June 29, the ACCO will hold a conference at the Palau Robert in Barcelona, where it will present a document explaining the benefits of competition. This informative document, which aims to bring competition policy and the ACCO closer to citizens, explains basic aspects of competition and what the ACCO is and does.
The conference will also reflect on the challenges of competition policy in the current economic context. This debate will feature the participation of Andreu Mas-Colell, Professor of Economics at Pompeu Fabra University, and Oriol Amat, Rector of Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona, and will be moderated by Esther Vera i Garcia, director of the newspaper ARA.
For more information, please consult the website acco.gencat.cat