This article analyses the European Commission’s (EC’s) near-abandonment of interim measures (IMs) in EU competition law, notwithstanding their express basis in Article 8 of Regulation 1/ 2003. It evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the Commission’s interim-measure decisions, identifies the legal, procedural, and institutional factors behind their decline, and proposes avenues for revival. Drawing on doctrinal analysis, an effectiveness–efficiency framework, and comparative practice among National Competition Authorities (NCAs) , the article shows that IMs were generally effective when used but were discouraged by procedural delay, strict evidentiary standards, and institutional risk aversion. It argues that restoring IMs requires not new powers, but a more flexible and confident use of existing ones.
World Competition