This happens in various ways. An investigation may be the result of a complaint regarding a conduct deemed to be in violation of competition law. The complaint may be filed by an undertaking that considers that its interests are being damaged by that conduct, or by a public agency; private individuals may also directly report such complaints to the Authority in writing (but not anonymously). All complaints are acknowledged.

The Authority may always initiate its own investigations, whether or not a complaint has been lodged, if it suspects that some particular line of conduct is damaging to competition.

In the case of acquisitions and mergers, it is the company wishing to undertake the operation that is required to submit a prior notification to the Authority. Failure to make such a notification renders the defaulter liable to a fine. It is then for the Authority to decide whether, in each case, it is appropriate to carry out a more thorough investigation.

Both the premerger notification Form and the Form for the notification and/or the exemption from prohibition of agreements (both available on the Authority's website), provide the necessary information to increase the speed and accuracy of the Authority's appraisal.