Samkeppnishæfismælingar

Samkeppnishæfi, also known as the Competition Authority, is an independent public institution in Iceland responsible for enforcing competition law and promoting fair competition in the market. Established in 1995, it operates under the Ministry of Industry and Innovation. The primary goal of Samkeppnishæfi is to ensure that businesses compete on equal terms, thereby fostering innovation, efficiency, and consumer welfare.

The authority's mandate includes investigating and preventing anti-competitive practices, such as cartels, price fixing, and market division. It also monitors mergers and acquisitions to ensure they do not lead to the creation of monopolies or significantly lessen competition. Samkeppnishæfi conducts investigations based on complaints from the public, businesses, or its own initiative.

The institution's work is guided by Icelandic competition law, which is aligned with EU competition law. It collaborates with the European Commission and other national competition authorities to share information and coordinate actions. Samkeppnishæfi's decisions are binding and can result in fines, injunctions, or other remedies to address anti-competitive behavior.

Transparency and public participation are key principles in Samkeppnishæfi's operations. The authority publishes regular reports on its activities, investigations, and decisions. It also encourages public comments on its cases and provides information on how to file complaints.

In summary, Samkeppnishæfi plays a crucial role in maintaining a competitive and fair market in Iceland. Through its enforcement of competition law, it contributes to economic growth, innovation, and consumer protection.