The reform goes beyond formal harmonisation, introducing stronger enforcement powers, clearer procedures, and significantly stricter sanctions.
Key highlights include:
- full transition to a self‑assessment regime, shifting compliance responsibility to businesses
- enhanced investigative powers of the Competition Agency, including inspections and data seizures
- fines of up to 10% of worldwide annual turnover and tougher periodic penalty payments
- a modernised leniency programme and extended limitation periods
- merger control rules aligned with the EU standstill approach, with broader review powers
Overall, the new framework marks a shift to a more enforcement‑driven and EU‑consistent competition regime, requiring companies operating in Montenegro to adopt a far more proactive approach to competition compliance. More on this in the text by Senior Associate Dajana Drljević, from JPM Podgorica office.
