#32026R0697Regulation (EU) 2026/697 on cooperation among enforcement authorities for unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain
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This regulation strengthens cross-border cooperation between Member States' enforcement authorities responsible for applying Directive (EU) 2019/633 on unfair trading practices. It addresses difficulties caused by territoriality when buyers and suppliers operate across borders, enabling authorities to share information, conduct investigations on behalf of each other, enforce fines and penalties, and coordinate actions. The rules cover mutual assistance requests, enforcement of decisions, widespread practices affecting at least three Member States, and cases involving parties outside the EU. Authorities must provide resources and expertise, protect confidential information, and use a Commission-managed platform for information exchange. Member States may optionally apply the mechanism to stricter national rules.
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Key Changes
- Establishes uniform rules for mutual assistance and information sharing between enforcement authorities in cross-border unfair trading practice cases
- Empowers authorities to conduct investigative measures on behalf of other Member States' authorities using powers under Directive 2019/633
- Allows enforcement of final decisions imposing fines and penalties in the requested Member State when collection fails in the originating state
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Obligations
What this law requires
Member States must designate enforcement authorities responsible for enforcing Directive (EU) 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain
Enforcement authorities must provide necessary resources and expertise to other enforcement authorities to enable them to fulfill their obligations under this Regulation
Enforcement authorities must share information and assist in investigations that have a cross-border dimension, including providing matters of fact or law and confidential information in accordance with national law
Enforcement authorities must guarantee the confidentiality of information provided by other enforcement authorities and may only use it for enforcing Directive (EU) 2019/633 rules and for the subject-matter for which it was collected
Enforcement authorities must take investigative measures on behalf of other enforcement authorities in their own territory, in accordance with powers conferred under Article 6(1) of Directive (EU) 2019/633 and national law