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The European Commission has formally approved proposals to sign and conclude an EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement. The Agreement will introduce a formal framework for cooperation on competition matters between the European Commission and the National Competition Authorities (NCAs) of the EU Member States, on the one side, and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), on the other.
The Agreement is supplemental to the existing arrangements between the parties under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement in seeking to establish a means through which the EU and UK competition authorities can achieve their shared objectives. The European Union and United Kingdom's leaders reaffirmed their commitment to partnership in competition enforcement when they met in London on 19 May 2025, the first EU-UK summit since the UK withdrew from the EU.
How would an EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement work?
The agreement aims to establish a clear structured framework for collaboration on competition related issues. The agreement will say that enforcement activities which “significantly affect the important interests of the other party” should be brought to each other’s attention. This will enable EU Member States and the UK to coordinate investigations where multiple jurisdictions may be involved. A key aspect of the Agreement will allow the Commission and the NCAs to transmit information to (and receive information from) the CMA, and to use this information in evidence. On the other hand, negative comity provisions are intended to minimise the risk of jurisdictional conflicts between the parties.
Issues raised under the EU Digital Markets Act or the UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 do not fall in scope of this Agreement.
Next Steps?
The agreement will enter into force once the EU and UK have finalised their ratification procedures.
Response to the Agreement
Teresa Riberia, the new head of European Competition Policy, commented that this Agreement will show the EU and UK’s commitment to continue “working together for effective and balanced competition enforcement”. This agreement helps to ensure that there is a level playing field in Europe and ultimately will allow a benefit to consumers and businesses alike. The agreement shows that the EU recognises “the importance of cooperation in competition enforcement between our closely related jurisdictions”.
From a UK perspective, this Agreement is presented as first step in the UK and EU tackling common economic security challenges. The UK has signalled its intention to seek wider EU-UK coordination on broader issues of competition policy, supply chain resilience, and global trade governance. This Agreement may be a first step towards an agreed response to market distortions that threaten fair competition in either EU Member States or the UK.
For further information in relation to this topic, please contact Damien Ryan, Senior Associate, or any member of the EU, Competition & Procurement group. A special thank you to Anna Mulligan, trainee solicitor, for her contribution to this update.
Date published: 25 June 2025
