Draft Tariff Law will be submitted to the Government of the Russian Federation in November 2017

The concept is already forwarded to federal executive bodies and business-community

“FAS has drafted a plan to reflect the main stages of devising the common Tariff Law in the Russian Federation”, reported Head of FAS Legal Department Artem Molchanov at the Round Table of the Association of Antimonopoly Experts. “In accord with the draft, by July 2017 the antimonopoly body will prepare the document and forward it to the authorities to collect proposals”.

He said that in the near future FAS will officially publish a notice about the draft Law on regulation.gov.ru. Head of FAS Legal Department called upon representatives of the Association of Antimonopoly Experts to unite efforts in order to make sure the document is of high quality and takes into account the interests of all parties.

Then Artem Molchanov discussed a draft Report on the State of Competition that focuses on pro-competitive tariff policy.

“By 1 June 2017, the Antimonopoly Service will submit the Report to the Government of the Russian Federation. We are now at the final stage of preparing it. The report will undergo a thorough check-up at the next meeting of the Methodological Council on 22 May, since FAS officers as well as experts will be involved”, said Artem Molchnov.

Head of FAS Legal Department pointed out: “The Antimonopoly Service puts special emphasis on a section about cartelization of Russian economy. We gave statistics on exposed violations, leading to a conclusion that this negative trend is growing in Russia”.

Artem Molchnov also considered the expected and accomplished changes to the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”. He reminded of the main provisions of the “forth antimonopoly package” and gave statistics on its enforcement.

“FAS determined the main objectives on amending the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”, particularly, adopting antimonopoly compliance and prohibiting formation of unitary enterprises on competitive markets.  Also we do not abandon an idea to abolish the Law on natural monopolies that failed to reach its main goal, and include the relevant provisions in the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”, stated Artem Molchnov.

FAS representative specifically analyzed the National Competition Development Plan. It is coordinated with the authorities and is approved by the Government. Currently the Plan is being considered by the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. “We expect to implement the National Competition Development Plan within two years. It provides for the measures that will help promptly solve the main issues of the national economy”, summed up Artem Molchnov.

The Round Table also discussed investigations of unfair competition and advertising in the field of intellectual property, cartels, public procurement, and specifics of cases on abusing dominance.

In conclusion, Deputy Head of FAS Andrey Tsyganov asked representatives of the Association of Antimonopoly Experts to jointly devise measures towards developing an uncompromising attitude to violations of the antimonopoly law.