Artem Molchanov on evolution of the antimonopoly law

On 26 July 2006, 10 years ago, the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” (No. 135-FZ) was adopted.

The law on competition protection has travelled a long path of development. It’s a “living” organism that has been changing in line with the dictates of the time and macroeconomic conditions.

No. 135-FZ replaced the first antimonopoly law in the history of Russia: "On competition and restricting monopolistic activity on the goods markets”, which was passed on 22 March 1991.

In the past ten years the Law has undergone timely changes designed to improve and liberalize the antimonopoly law. The latest amendments introduce immunities for small and medium business, the grounds for unscheduled inspections of small and medium companies.

Adopting the Law solved a lot of issues related to development of small and medium business and relations between business and the authorities. The level of administrative barriers diminished, an efficient the institution of warnings is established and robust efforts are undertaken to counter cartels and unfair market players.

A definitive advantage of all above amendments is approximating Russian law with the best foreign practices.

The Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” has become one of the major regulators setting fair rules of the game on the market, that help withstand monopolism in all spheres of the economy.