Welcome to the new issue of our revamped competition newsletter, bringing you an overview of key competition law developments across the Western Balkans.
The most important recent development has been the enactment of Montenegro’s new Competition Act, which entered into force in early April; we highlight the main merger‑control changes below, with more detail on our competition blog.
We also cover a new gun‑jumping decision in North Macedonia and an RPM infringement decision in Serbia, and we include our annual overview of 2025 developments in the region published on Kluwer Competition Law Blog.
Dragan Gajin, Head of Competition, Doklestic Repic & Gajin z.a.k.
General
Main developments in competition law and policy 2025 – Western Balkans
Enforcement intensity varied significantly across the region in 2025: while North Macedonia may have had its busiest year on record (including five gun‑jumping decisions), Serbia and Montenegro saw a quieter year. [Read more on Kluwer Competition Law Blog]
Serbia
Antitrust
Vaillant d.o.o. fined for RPM
The Serbian competition authority fined Vaillant d.o.o. (Belgrade) approx. EUR 135,000 for resale price maintenance in an ex officio proceeding. The case started after the authority spotted identical online retail prices and carried out an unannounced inspection; it found Vaillant enforced price alignment through monitoring and rebate/stimulus mechanisms that functioned as sanctions.
Montenegro
Montenegro adopts a new Competition Act
The new Act brings two practical merger‑control changes: the 15‑day post‑signing filing deadline is abolished and Phase I review is shortened to 30 days from receipt of a complete notification (triggered by a certificate of completeness). In practice, timing will still depend on how quickly completeness is confirmed; and the low filing thresholds remain unchanged, so transactions with limited local impact may still be caught.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Agreement between Stada and Opella under review
The Competition Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina has initiated proceedings on a request to extend an individual exemption (by prior notification) for an agreement between Stada Arzneimittel AG (Germany) and Opella Healthcare International SAS (France). By way of reminder, Bosnia and Herzegovina still operates a prior‑notification system for individual exemptions, akin to the EU regime that existed under Regulation 17/62. The Competition Council is expected to complete the exemption proceedings within three months, with the possibility of a single extension of up to a further three months.
North Macedonia
Merger control
new gun-jumping decision
Gun‑jumping appears to be an enforcement priority for the North Macedonian competition authority, which has now issued a fresh decision in this area. It found that SKOPSKI PAZAR AD Skopje breached merger‑control rules by not notifying the transaction before implementation and by closing before clearance, in connection with its acquisition of 100% of ONE KABLE F J DOO Skopje. For the two infringements, it imposed a single combined fine of MKD 215,200.
Albania
Fuel prices: competition authority launches market monitoring
The Albanian competition authority has launched monitoring of wholesale and retail fuel markets, focusing on gasoline and diesel prices at retail outlets. It warns it will act where domestic price movements outpace international exchanges, including against price coordination, abuse of dominance, or concerted practices.
Authority monitors bread market in Korçë
The Albanian competition authority has launched a monitoring exercise in Korçë after reports that bread producers and sellers would simultaneously raise the retail price from 120 lekë to 150 lekë (over 25%). It is conducting on‑site inspections to assess whether this amounts to a competition law violation, warning that infringements can be fined up to 10% of the undertakings’ prior‑year turnover.
Originally sent by e-mail. Original issue (preview.mailerlite.io) · gajin.rs