The tailorable tools – a free Dawn Raid App and new competition compliance e-learning course – are intended to make it easier for businesses to understand the issues and what is required to comply with this complex and rapidly changing area of law.

The app aims to help employees understand what action is necessary in the event of a competition dawn raid, while the e-learning course provides a training solution in relation to complex competition regulation. Further courses focusing on other regulatory areas, including sanctions, are also in development.

‘Shark infested waters’

‘Today’s regulatory environment resembles shark infested waters where the European Commission and national competition authorities have made it clear that no industry, market or company is immune from scrutiny,’ said Brussels-based White & Case partner Jacquelyn MacLennan. ‘The total value of fines imposed by the EC for antitrust breaches has risen exponentially during the past decade, when record fines of €1 billion have been imposed on a single company, and €1.5 billion on a group of companies in a single cartel. Even higher fines are threatened.’

‘Forgotten until it’s too late’

 Brussels-based White & Case partner Axel Schulz commented: ‘Despite the severe consequences of antitrust infringement, we often see companies focusing on other urgent matters, with education on compliance with antitrust rules forgotten until it’s too late. But when a company is the subject of an authority’s attention, and especially when officials are on its doorstep, everything goes into fast forward and speed is of the essence. To help prepare for these situations, White & Case has created the mobile-friendly Dawn Raid App and e-learning tool to support and prepare companies in this complex area of law.’