Riga, November 14, 2025 — The Latvian Competition Council has issued two explanatory materials designed to help market participants better understand available cooperation mechanisms during investigations into potential competition-law infringements.
Commitments Process Explained
One of the new documents, Explanation on Case Closure with Commitments, provides a detailed overview of the written-commitment process and its purpose. The authority outlines how companies may proactively address competition concerns identified during an initiated case, allowing them to resolve the matter more quickly and avoid a sanctioning decision and a fine.
The material also clarifies when the commitment mechanism is applicable under the Competition Law, how the process is initiated within the authority, and the consequences of failing to comply with accepted commitments. To support businesses in assessing whether a case may qualify for closure with commitments, the authority has also developed a self-assessment tool.
Guidance on Binding Rules
The second explanatory material, Binding Rules in Competition Infringement Cases: Their Essence and Drafting Principles, describes the purpose and significance of binding rules, provides an overview of their types and application criteria, and illustrates the authority’s past practice through examples.
Dialogue Encouraged
The authority encourages companies considering commitments as a pathway to closing an investigation to engage in dialogue with officials. Such discussions aim to identify the most effective solution and ensure that any negative effects on competition are remedied as swiftly as possible.
The development of the guidance also took into account input from the authority’s Advisory Board to ensure the materials are practical, up-to-date, and accessible for market participants.
