Anti-Competitive Agreements in EU Law: Master Your Knowledge

Question 1

Identify the option that is not considered an anti-competitive agreement under EU law:

Accepted Answer

Mergers and acquisitions

Answer

Cartels

Answer

Price-fixing arrangements

Answer

Market-sharing agreements

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a type of anti-competitive agreement prohibited by EU law?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive production agreements

Answer

Cartels

Answer

Price-fixing agreements

Answer

Market-sharing agreements

Question 3

What is the primary objective of Article 101 TFEU's prohibition on anti-competitive agreements?

Accepted Answer

To promote competition in the EU market

Answer

To protect consumers from harmful practices

Answer

To create equal opportunities for businesses

Answer

To foster innovation and economic growth

Question 4

What is the principle of "collective dominance"?

Accepted Answer

Dominance held by a group of firms acting together

Answer

Dominance held by a single firm

Answer

Dominance shared equally by several firms

Answer

Dominance acquired through legitimate competitive means

Question 5

What is the role of the European Courts in enforcing EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Interpreting and applying the law

Answer

Investigating and prosecuting violations

Answer

Imposing fines and penalties

Answer

Advising the European Commission on competition policy

Question 6

What is the concept of "ancillary restraints" in EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Restrictions necessary for a main agreement's effective implementation

Answer

Restrictions unrelated to a main agreement's purpose

Answer

Restrictions disproportionate to an agreement's legitimate objectives

Answer

Restrictions imposed on a dominant undertaking

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a sanction that can be imposed for violating EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Imprisonment

Answer

Fines

Answer

Divestiture

Answer

Exclusion from public funding

Question 8

Which of the following is **not** a prohibited anti-competitive agreement under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive distribution agreements

Answer

Cartels

Answer

Price-fixing agreements

Answer

Market-sharing agreements

Question 9

Which article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) prohibits anti-competitive agreements?

Accepted Answer

Article 101

Answer

Article 102

Answer

Article 103

Answer

Article 104

Question 10

Which of the following is **not** a type of anti-competitive agreement that may be subject to a block exemption?

Accepted Answer

Price-fixing agreements

Answer

Vertical agreements

Answer

Research and development agreements

Answer

Exclusive purchasing agreements

Question 11

Which of the following is **not** a type of agreement that may be considered a 'hardcore restriction' under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Vertical agreements

Answer

Cartels

Answer

Price-fixing agreements

Answer

Market-sharing agreements

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a prohibited category of anti-competitive agreement under EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive distribution agreements with a single supplier

Answer

Cartels

Answer

Price-fixing agreements

Answer

Market-sharing agreements

Question 13

The EU competition law rules on anti-competitive agreements are primarily based on which Treaty provision?

Accepted Answer

Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)

Answer

Article 102 of the TFEU

Answer

Article 106 of the TFEU

Answer

Article 207 of the TFEU

Question 14

In the context of anti-competitive agreements, the principle of 'effect on trade' implies that:

Accepted Answer

An agreement must have a significant impact on trade between EU member states to be caught by EU competition law.

Answer

An agreement must only involve companies based in different EU member states to be caught by EU competition law.

Answer

An agreement must lead to an increase in trade between EU member states to be caught by EU competition law.

Answer

An agreement must not restrict trade between EU member states to be caught by EU competition law.

Question 15

In the Tetra Pak case, which specific conduct was found to constitute a prohibited anti-competitive agreement?

Accepted Answer

Requiring customers to use only Tetra Pak-branded packaging materials

Answer

Refusing to supply customers who bought machines from competitors

Answer

Offering discounts to customers who purchased a certain number of machines

Answer

Entering into exclusive supply agreements with major customers

Question 16

The EU Merger Regulation (EUMR) primarily concerns:

Accepted Answer

Anti-competitive mergers

Answer

Anti-competitive agreements

Answer

Anti-competitive conduct by dominant undertakings

Answer

State aid

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a role of the European Commission in enforcing EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Enacting new competition laws

Answer

Investigating suspected infringements

Answer

Imposing fines and penalties

Answer

Approving mergers and acquisitions

Question 18

The concept of 'undertaking' under EU competition law refers to:

Accepted Answer

Both natural and legal persons

Answer

Natural persons only

Answer

Legal persons only

Answer

Government entities only

Question 19

Which article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) expressly prohibits anti-competitive agreements?

Accepted Answer

Article 101

Answer

Article 103

Answer

Article 102

Answer

Article 100

Question 20

Under Article 101 TFEU, what is the primary legal test applied to determine whether an agreement is considered anti-competitive?

Accepted Answer

The 'object or effect' test

Answer

The 'rule of reason' test

Answer

The 'per se' rule

Answer

The 'market share' test

Question 21

Which type of agreement is explicitly exempted from the general prohibition of anti-competitive agreements under Article 101(1) TFEU?

Accepted Answer

Agreements that improve production or distribution

Answer

Agreements that fix prices

Answer

Agreements that allocate markets

Answer

Agreements that restrict output

Question 22

In the context of Article 102 TFEU, what is the key concept of 'economic power'?

Accepted Answer

The ability to act independently of competitors, customers, and consumers

Answer

The market share of a company

Answer

The size of a company's assets

Question 23

Which of the following constitutes an example of an abuse of a dominant position prohibited by Article 102 TFEU?

Accepted Answer

Charging excessive prices

Answer

Expanding into new markets

Answer

Hiring highly skilled employees

Answer

Entering into a joint venture with a competitor

Question 24

What is the primary role of the European Commission in enforcing EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

To investigate and impose sanctions for anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant position

Answer

To set competition policy for the EU

Answer

To advise businesses on competition law compliance

Question 25

How does EU competition law interact with national competition laws within the Member States?

Accepted Answer

EU competition law takes precedence over national competition laws

Answer

National competition laws can be stricter than EU competition law

Answer

EU competition law only applies to cross-border agreements

Question 26

Which of the following is a fundamental principle underlying EU competition law?

Accepted Answer

Safeguarding consumer welfare and promoting economic efficiency

Answer

Protecting national industries

Answer

Maintaining market stability