The European Commission has published its Annual Competition Report for 2022 (the ACR 2022). The ACR 2022 presents the key policy developments and legislative initiatives undertaken last year, as well as a selection of important enforcement actions.
In 2022, the Commission created and implemented a policy mix designed to mitigate the negative effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the EU economy, its businesses and citizens. In particular, EU State aid policy, including the precursors to the recently adopted Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, played an important role in the EU’s multifaceted response to these events. The Commission also phased out emergency measures implemented to address the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the duty to deliver on the green and digital transitions remained.
The Commission continued its extensive review of competition regulations, guidelines and notices, to ensure that all enforcement instruments are fit for current and future challenges.
The Digital Markets Act entered into force in November 2022 and will apply as of May 2023. The Foreign Subsidies Regulation was adopted in November 2022 and entered into force in January 2023.