Sector inquiries are those investigations carried out by the Office for Competition into particular sectors of the economy and into types of agreements across various sectors, where it believes the trend of trade, the rigidity of prices or other circumstances suggest that competition may be restricted or distorted. The Office uses the information obtained in an inquiry so as to understand a particular market better and assess the market from a competition law perspective.
A sector inquiry is a comprehensive economic and regulatory investigation, that analyses in depth the dynamic of competition in a market, identifying existing competition issues and where appropriate, making recommendations to address the competition concerns.
Sector inquiries are those investigations carried out by the Office for Competition into particular sectors of the economy and into types of agreements across various sectors, where it believes the trend of trade, the rigidity of prices or other circumstances suggest that competition may be restricted or distorted. The Office uses the information obtained in an inquiry so as to understand a particular market better and assess the market from a competition law perspective.
A sector inquiry is a comprehensive economic and regulatory investigation, that analyses in depth the dynamic of competition in a market, identifying existing competition issues and where appropriate, making recommendations to address the competition concerns.
| Date | Case | Economics Sector |
| 01 February 2021 | COMP-MCCAA/12/2019 | Wholesale and Retail Trade; Manufacturing |
| 12 February 2019 | COMP-MCCAA/4/2017 | Motor Insurance |
| 14 September 2018 | COMP-MCCAA/4/2017 | Motor Insurance |
| 29 May 2018 | COMP-MCCAA/27/2014 | School Uniforms |
| 16 March 2018 | COMP-MCCAA/4/2017 | Motor Insurance |
| 18 September 2017 | COMP-MCCAA/4/2017 | Motor Insurance |
| 04 October 2016 | COMP-MCCAA/3/2015 | Fuel Sector |
| 13 September 2016 | COMP-MCCAA/11/2016 | School Transport Services |
| 06 January 2015 | COMP-MCCAA/18/2012 | Tourism |
Article 5(1) prohibits any agreement between undertakings, any decision by an association of undertakings and any concerted practice between undertakings having the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition within Malta. Article 5 provides a non-exhaustive list of agreements, decisions or practices which are prohibited under the Competition Act and which are consequently ipso jure null and unenforceable. This list covers agreements, decisions or practices which:
In terms of Article 5(3), the provisions of Article 5(1) do not apply in the case of any agreement between undertakings, any decision by an association of undertakings or any concerted practice that satisfies the following four cumulative conditions:
Article 101 of the TFEU also applies where any agreement between undertakings, any decision by an association of undertakings or any concerted practice may appreciably affect trade between Malta and anyone more Member States.
