Competition law
Competition law sets the rules for safeguarding free and effective competition and preventing anti-competitive conduct. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs is responsible for developing the legal framework for this area, in particular the Cartel Act, the Internal Market Act and the Price Supervision Act.
Cartel Act
The Federal Act on Cartels and other Restraints of Competition (Cartel Act, CartA) aims to prevent cartels and other restraints of competition that are harmful to the economy or society, and to promote effective competition. The Act has three core elements: it prohibits agreements between companies that significantly restrict competition and cannot be justified on grounds of economic efficiency; it bans the abuse of a dominant or relatively dominant market position; and it requires the Competition Commission to review mergers of large companies where these could significantly impede effective competition. The Cartel Act is enforced by the Competition Commission.
Internal Market Act
The Federal Act on the Internal Market (Internal Market Act, IMA) guarantees that persons resident or domiciled in Switzerland have free and equal access to the market throughout the country for the purpose of pursuing their economic activities. This facilitates professional mobility and commercial activity within Switzerland, supports the cantons in their efforts to harmonise market access conditions, strengthens the competitiveness of the Swiss economy and reinforces Switzerland’s economic cohesion. The Internal Market Act is enforced by the Competition Commission.
Price Supervision Act
The Price Supervision Act (PrSA) is designed to protect consumers and businesses from abusive pricing. It tasks the Price Supervisor with monitoring price trends and taking appropriate action where prices are raised abusively or maintained without justification. The Act applies in particular where prices are not the result of effective competition – for instance where companies hold significant market power.
Further information
- Economic Policy Fundamentals
Studies on competition law
Index
Relevant topics
Economic Policy
SECO monitors and analyses national and international economic developments, identifies the need for action in economic policy, and reviews federal legislation relevant to the economy. Its analyses and forecasts aim to provide objective foundations for the Confederation’s economic decision‑making.
State and competition
The Confederation and the cantons work to create favourable conditions for the Swiss economy within their respective areas of responsibility, guided by the principle of economic freedom. Any departure from this principle must have a basis in the Federal Constitution or cantonal sovereign rights, serve a public interest and be proportionate. In practice, this means keeping markets as open as possible and avoiding disproportionate regulatory barriers to entry. It also means that state-owned or state-affiliated enterprises must not enjoy undue competitive advantages: all companies, whether state-affiliated or private, should compete on a level playing field.
Competition policy
Competition drives innovation, efficiency and fair pricing – making it a key engine of prosperity and job security. A policy framework that promotes competition is therefore the cornerstone of any long-term economic strategy. The Growth and Competition Policy division is responsible for strengthening and developing the conditions that support effective competition.
Contact
Economic Policy Directorate
Growth and Competition Policy
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern