Source: OJ L 265, 12.10.2022, pp. 1–66 · Consolidated text

Article 20 Ouverture d’une procédure

Summary What does Article 20 of the DMA regulation say?

This is a brief procedural article that governs how the Commission formally initiates enforcement proceedings.

It establishes that before the Commission can adopt decisions on compliance measures, non-compliance findings, or fines (as covered in Articles 8, 29, and 30), it must first formally adopt a decision to open proceedings.

Notably, the article also clarifies that the Commission is not required to wait for that formal opening before exercising its investigative powers.

Important points:

The Commission is required to formally adopt a decision to open proceedings before it can move toward enforcement decisions under Articles 8, 29, and 30.
The Commission retains the ability to exercise its investigative powers under this Regulation prior to formally opening proceedings.
This article acts as a procedural gateway, linking investigative activity to the enforcement decisions that follow.

Springlex's summary of the article is a reading aid, not a substitute for the legal text.

1. Lorsque la Commission a l’intention d’ouvrir une procédure en vue de l’adoption éventuelle de décisions au titre des articles 8, 29 et 30, elle adopte une décision relative à l’ouverture d’une procédure.
1. Nonobstant le paragraphe 1, la Commission peut exercer ses pouvoirs d’enquête en vertu du présent règlement avant d’ouvrir une procédure conformément audit paragraphe.

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