PR and Communications Competition Compliance - Checklist

Drafting notes

Corporate communications are monitored by competition regulators. Therefore, it is important to not create a misleading or inaccurate impression of the legality of a company's activities in its communications. A poor choice of language (whether in press releases, media interviews or published company documents) that does not accurately state the facts can be damaging in any investigation by competition authorities or court proceedings with another company.

High risk areas

Checklist	Notes
High risk areas price announcements about price changes (see below) communications relating to a competition investigation/court proceedings that a company is involved in communications relating to markets which are under the media spotlight, where there is a background of regulatory scrutiny communications relating to markets where [insert company name] is at risk of being found dominant.
At all times you should: stick to the facts state clearly the source of any pricing or market share information—whether this is based on internal estimates or a third party source such as an analyst report seek legal advice before speculating about the legality of any action.

Checklist

Notes

High risk areas

price announcements about price changes (see below)
communications relating to a competition investigation/court proceedings that a company is involved in
communications relating to markets which are under the media spotlight, where there is a background of regulatory scrutiny
communications relating to markets where [insert company name] is at risk of being found dominant.

At all times you should:

stick to the facts
state clearly the source of any pricing or market share information—whether this is based on internal estimates or a third party source such as an analyst report
seek legal advice before speculating about the legality of any action.

Pricing announcements

Checklist	Notes