On 5 June 2026, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) presented a draft bill for the 12th amendment to the Act against Restraints of Competition (GWB) (status: 4 June 2026, 14:00; RefE) and, at the same time, launched a consultation with the federal states and industry associations. The draft bill focuses on changes in the area of merger control, new investigative powers in connection with public procurement procedures, and various adjustments to antitrust authority and court proceedings. The Monopolies Commission welcomes the draft’s streamlined structure, which is geared towards reducing bureaucracy and making more efficient use of resources, and assesses it positively overall. It expressly shares this objective, but points out that certain measures do not bring about any real relief or go beyond the intended aim; it views these proposals critically. Furthermore, some points which it considers important are missing. On other points, however, it welcomes the fact that they are not to be included in the Act. 

The Monopolies Commission’s detailed assessments can be found in its statement.