Artem Molchanov: FAS will devise “White” and “Black” Books for businessmen

The Antimonopoly Service has been drafting such documents since 2013 to describe competitive and anti-competitive practices by the authorities

On the second day of the regional workshop in Orenburg (26.05.2017), participants discussed adoption of the Competition Development Standard in the regions, especially tariff regulation and the housing & utilities sector, as well as enforcement practice of the antimonopoly bodies. FAS Research-and-Methodology Council also was in session that day.

Attendees included: Head of FAS Legal Department Artem Molchanov, Head of FAS Fiscal Control Department, Vladimir Mishelovin; Deputy Prosecutor’s General of the Orenburg region, Yuri Ryvaev; representatives of the trade union of small and medium  business, the Orenburg Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers and other NGOs.

“The current task of the antimonopoly body is to explain to the business community the do’s and don’ts in terms of market conduct”, explained Head of FAS Legal Department Artem Molchanov. “In recent years we have made the authorities aware of many aspects since they are the main violators of the antimonopoly law”.

“Every year FAS devises “White” and “Black” Books of competitive and anti-competitive actions of the authorities. The antimonopoly body has drafted 7 explanations for the business community that explain clearly what should be done to reduce the risk of violating the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”. We believe that the “White” and “Black” Booksshould also be prepared for businessmen”, stated Artem Molchanov.

He gave examples of typical abuses of dominance and immunities for small business. Head of FAS Department highlighted that immunities do not cover holders and natural monopolies, financial organizations, state-run companies and cartels.

Artem Molchanov discussed in detail anticompetitive agreements. “Russia is the leader in terms of exposed cartels. This is a serious signal for Russian economy. 80% cases on anticompetitive agreements concern bid-rigging”, stressed Artem Molchanov.

Head of FAS Fiscal Control Department, Vladimir Mishelovin moderated the session on adopting the Competition Development Standard. He presented the best practices of adopting the Standard in Russian provinces and municipalities of the Orenburg region. Vladimir Mishelovin praised highly the active position of municipalities in the part of developing competition and thanked then for the work done.

“In view of the complexity of the issue, one should emphasize the high quality of the discussion. Hopefully, the outcome of the session will be useful to the authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation and our colleagues from FAS regional Offices”, stated Vladimir Mishelovin.

FAS Research-and-Methodology Council decided to consider in detail and prepare proposals by December 2017 on amendments to the Federal Standard of Higher Professional Education.