ANDREY TSARIKOVSKIY: OUR PRACTICE IS ALREADY CONSIDERABLY AHEAD OF THE THEORY

According to Deputy Head of FAS, rather than replacing particular norms and Articles of the antimonopoly law, it is necessary to change the basic definitions and approaches

“The current norms of the Law “On Protection of Competition” are applicable, but structural changes in the economy and improving digital technologies mean that many definitions in antimonopoly regulation should be changed”, informed Stats-Secretary, Deputy Head of FAS Andrey Tsarikovskiy at the Conference on “Antimonopoly Policy: Science, Practice, Education” that took place on 6-7 December in Skolkovo.

“The existing rules are goods rules. But they were written for stage-coaches and today there are cars outside the windows”, compared Deputy Head of FAS.

“We understand perfectly that colossal work has been done to determine the basic concepts of antimonopoly regulation and it is morally hard to acknowledge that they have become morally obsolete”, pointed out Andrey Tsarikovskiy. “It must be overcome, however, since our practice is already ahead of the theory”.

Deputy Head of FAS also gave a Russian example which is a “unique case” when a book is already published - “Antimonopoly regulation in the digital epoch”, that integrates Russian and foreign practices before the relevant amendments are made to the law.

Andrey Tsarikovskiy highlighted efforts of BRICS competition authorities that had achieved significant success in competition development, in view of globalization, internet-technologies and related network effects.

“Digitalization should be developed through far-sighted and smart policy so that the state and the society can employ its potential”, summed up Andrey Tsarikovskiy.