The Monopolies Commission is an independent body in Germany.
We advise the Federal Government, Parliament and public authorities.
We also provide information to the public.
Our focus is on competition.
Competition means that
different companies offer the same products or services.
Customers can then choose the best offer.
What do we do?
We monitor how competition works in Germany.
We investigate where problems arise.
We then draw up recommendations.
These recommendations help policymakers make sound decisions.
Our main tasks are:
Every two years, we produce a major report.
In it, we examine whether too much power is concentrated in the hands of a few companies in Germany.
We also check whether competition law is being applied correctly.
We also produce reports on specific sectors.
For example, on rail, energy, postal services and telecommunications.
In these, we examine whether competition is functioning effectively in these sectors.
Sometimes we also produce shorter reports on specific topics.
We do this, for example, when something important is happening.
What are we not?
We are not a government agency.
We do not impose fines.
We do not bring proceedings against companies.
That is the role of the Federal Cartel Office, for example.
Our role is different:
we explain what is happening.
We highlight the connections.
We make recommendations on what policymakers could do.
Why are we independent?
We work independently.
This means that
neither the government nor any company can dictate what we write.
We decide for ourselves which topics to investigate.
We take a scientific approach.
This means
we look at data and facts.
We explain our methods.
We are transparent.
Why is competition important?
Competition protects us all.
When many companies compete with one another, then:
- prices remain fairer
- products improve
- no single company has too much power
We are committed to ensuring that competition works in Germany.
This is good for the economy.
And it is good for everyone in our country.