The European Commission wants to encourage consumers to fight against cases of market unfairness - in court. Joint actions could be brought where price fixing is established, for example, according to a new competition white paper. It reminds citizens that "The right of victims to compensation is guaranteed by community law". By not suing the wrongdoers, it said "victims are foregoing billions of euros per year."
Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes: "The people and the businesses of Europe deserve better. A competition authority can not be everywhere at once. A competition culture needs eyes, needs ears on the ground and the capacity to respond quickly when an injustice has occurred. An option for private action increases greatly that possibility."
The Commission or national authorities bring most actions against market abuse in the EU.
In the US, however, more than four out of five are brought privately -- though Brussels is not suggesting going the way of the US in scale.
The public will have until July 15 to comment on the new white paper.
Then law proposals will be drawn up.
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