Master EU Competition Law: Quizzes and Learning Resources

Question 1

What is the primary enforcement authority for EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

The European Commission

Answer

The European Court of Justice

Answer

National competition authorities

Answer

The UK Competition and Markets Authority

Question 2

What is the primary objective of the EU Merger Regulation?

Accepted Answer

To protect consumers from anti-competitive mergers

Answer

To prevent the creation of monopolies

Answer

To encourage economic growth

Answer

To facilitate the restructuring of companies

Question 3

Which of the following factors is NOT considered by the European Commission when assessing a merger under the EU Merger Regulation?

Accepted Answer

Political considerations

Answer

Market share of the merging entities

Answer

Barriers to entry

Answer

Financial health of the merging entities

Question 4

Which factor is NOT utilized by the European Commission when assessing a company's dominance in the market?

Accepted Answer

Financial performance

Answer

Market share

Answer

Barriers to entry

Answer

Size of the relevant market

Question 5

Which of the following remedies is NOT within the European Commission's power to impose on firms breaching EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Suspension of operations

Answer

Fines

Answer

Divestiture

Answer

Corrective measures

Question 6

Which characteristic is NOT applicable to EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Retrospective application

Answer

Supremacy over national law

Answer

Direct effect

Answer

Leniency program for whistleblowers

Question 7

Which factor is NOT considered by the European Commission when evaluating mergers under the Merger Regulation?

Accepted Answer

Social impact of the merger

Answer

Market concentration

Answer

Barriers to entry

Answer

Innovation potential of the merging entities

Question 8

Which of these is NOT a tool the European Commission uses to enforce EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Protection from fines

Answer

Fines

Answer

Restructuring companies

Answer

Temporary actions

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT prohibited under Article 101 of the TFEU?

Accepted Answer

Agreements that improve efficiency

Answer

Horizontal agreements between competitors

Answer

Agreements that restrict competition

Answer

Vertical agreements between businesses at different levels of the supply chain

Question 10

Which authority has the primary responsibility for enforcing EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

The European Commission

Answer

The European Court of Justice

Answer

National Competition Authorities

Answer

The European Parliament

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a defense to a charge of breaching EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Lack of intent

Answer

Economic efficiency

Answer

Public interest

Answer

Necessity

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a recognized defense or exemption under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Market power

Answer

De minimis

Answer

Efficiency defense

Answer

Ancillary restraints

Question 13

Under EU competition law, which type of merger must be notified to and approved by the European Commission before it can take effect?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal merger

Answer

Vertical merger

Answer

Conglomerate merger

Answer

Joint venture

Question 14

What was the main purpose of establishing EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

To create a unified market within the European Union

Answer

To control the growing influence of multinational corporations

Answer

To standardize competition laws across EU member states

Answer

To tackle the unique challenges of the digital economy

Question 15

What types of remedies can the European Commission impose on companies that violate EU competition law? What factors influence the Commission's choice of remedy?

Accepted Answer

Structural, behavioral, and financial remedies; the Commission considers the severity of the violation, the company's market power, and the need to restore fair competition.

Answer

Only structural remedies.

Answer

Only behavioral remedies.

Answer

Only financial penalties.

Question 16

**According to EU competition law, what are the essential elements that must be established to prove the existence of a 'cartel'?**

Accepted Answer

Two or more businesses engaging in an agreement, concerted practice, or decision that restricts competition.

Answer

At least one business holding a dominant position in the relevant market.

Answer

Demonstrating that the conduct harmed consumers or competition.

Answer

Proving that the conduct was intentional or reckless.

Question 17

Which of the following is an exemption to the prohibition against anti-competitive agreements under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive distribution agreements meeting certain criteria

Answer

Mergers that create or strengthen a dominant position

Answer

Abuse of dominance

Answer

Cartels

Question 18

The European Commission's powers in enforcing EU competition law include:

Accepted Answer

Imposing fines on companies that breach competition law

Answer

Setting tax rates for businesses

Answer

Prosecuting individuals for competition law violations

Question 19

Which of the following factors is NOT considered when evaluating whether a merger is likely to be anti-competitive under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

The perceived intentions of the merging companies

Answer

The expected efficiency gains resulting from the merger

Answer

The size of the merging companies' combined market share

Answer

The potential for the merger to create or strengthen a dominant position

Question 20

The primary purpose of the 'leniency program' offered by the European Commission is to:

Accepted Answer

Encourage companies to report cartels and other anti-competitive practices

Answer

Reduce the financial penalties imposed on companies that cooperate with the Commission

Answer

Provide financial assistance to companies that have been found guilty of competition law violations

Question 21

A valid defense to an allegation of abuse of dominance under EU competition law may involve:

Accepted Answer

Objective justification based on legitimate business reasons

Answer

Absence of a specific market definition

Answer

Good intentions or subjective beliefs of the dominant company

Answer

Lack of awareness of the applicable competition law provisions

Question 22

The role of national competition authorities in the EU's competition law enforcement framework primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Assisting the European Commission in investigating and enforcing competition law

Answer

Setting their own competition laws and regulations independently of EU law

Answer

Having exclusive jurisdiction over competition law cases within their respective territories

Question 23

Vertical agreements under EU competition law may include:

Accepted Answer

Exclusive purchasing agreements between different levels of the supply chain

Answer

Abuse of dominance by a single company across multiple markets

Answer

Cartels involving companies in different sectors

Answer

Mergers between companies operating at the same level of the supply chain

Question 24

The 'de minimis' rule in EU merger control refers to:

Accepted Answer

Exempting mergers below a certain size threshold from the requirement of notification to the European Commission

Answer

Requiring all mergers involving foreign companies to be notified to the European Commission

Answer

Permitting mergers that create a dominant position without prior notification

Question 25

The overarching goal of EU competition law is to:

Accepted Answer

Promote competition and protect consumer welfare

Answer

Protect the interests of European businesses

Answer

Punish companies that engage in anti-competitive practices

Answer

Generate revenue for the European Union

Question 26

Which of the following is not considered a prohibited agreement under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Vertical agreement

Answer

Cartel agreement

Answer

Exclusive purchase agreement

Answer

Exclusive distribution agreement

Question 27

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a dominant position in the market?

Accepted Answer

A firm with significant market power that allows it to influence prices and restrict competition

Answer

A firm with a market share of less than 25%

Answer

A firm with a market share of less than 10%

Answer

A firm with a market share of over 90%

Question 28

What is the primary objective of the EU Merger Regulation?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the creation or strengthening of dominant positions that could harm competition

Answer

To promote innovation and economic growth

Answer

To protect consumers from unfair business practices

Question 29

Which of the following is not a potential remedy imposed by the European Commission for breach of competition law?

Accepted Answer

Imprisonment

Answer

Structural separation

Answer

Behavioral remedies

Answer

Divestiture

Question 30

The principle of subsidiarity in the context of EU competition law suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Competition cases should primarily be handled at the national level unless there is a need for EU intervention to ensure effective enforcement

Answer

Competition cases should always be dealt with at the EU level

Question 31

What is the primary function of the European Competition Network (ECN)?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate cooperation and information exchange among national competition authorities to enhance the enforcement of EU competition law across member states

Answer

To provide legal advice to businesses on competition law compliance

Question 32

A leniency program in competition law typically offers:

Accepted Answer

Reduced penalties or immunity from prosecution for companies that self-report their involvement in cartel activities and cooperate with the authorities

Answer

Legal representation for companies facing competition law investigations

Answer

Financial compensation to victims of anti-competitive practices

Question 33

Under EU competition law, which of the following types of agreement is prohibited?

Accepted Answer

Cartel

Answer

Vertical cooperation agreement

Answer

Exclusive distribution agreement

Answer

Merger approved by the European Commission

Question 34

What is the primary aim of EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

To safeguard competition and protect consumer welfare

Answer

To generate economic expansion

Answer

To dismantle monopolies

Question 35

Which of the following constitutes an example of an abuse of dominance?

Accepted Answer

Predatory pricing

Answer

Exclusive distribution agreement

Answer

Joint venture

Answer

Horizontal cooperation agreement

Question 36

What is the European Commission's primary responsibility in enforcing EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Investigating and prosecuting violations

Answer

Reviewing mergers and acquisitions

Answer

Providing legal advice to businesses

Answer

Establishing competition policy

Question 37

What is the primary objective of merger control under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Preventing the creation of monopolies or other significant impediments to competition

Answer

Providing legal certainty for businesses

Answer

Stimulating economic growth

Question 38

What is the distinction between horizontal and vertical agreements under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal agreements are between competitors, while vertical agreements are between businesses at different stages of the production or distribution chain.

Answer

Horizontal agreements are legal, while vertical agreements are illegal.

Question 39

What is the significance of the concept of 'undertaking' in EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

It defines the entities subject to EU competition law

Answer

It creates an exemption for certain types of agreements

Answer

It provides a defense against allegations of abuse of dominance

Question 40

What is the European Court of Justice's role in EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Interpreting and enforcing EU competition law

Answer

Establishing competition policy

Answer

Reviewing mergers and acquisitions

Answer

Investigating and prosecuting violations