Germany: Issued Bundeskartellamt decision classifying Amazon as company of "paramount significance"

On 6 July 2022, the German competition authority (Bundeskartellamt) determined that Amazon is a company "of paramount significance for competition across markets", a new regulatory categorisation for large digital companies. Under the new section 19a of the German Competition Act (GWB), the Bundeskartellamt can open investigations against companies of paramount significance quickly and restrain such companies from implementing anti-competitive behaviour. In its decision, the Bundeskartellamt noted that Amazon generated more than EUR 400 billion in worldwide revenue in 2021 (EUR 32 billion in Germany) and is the leading provider in the e-commerce sector. Furthermore, Amazon offers digital content, logistics, advertising, payment and cloud computing services. The Bundeskartellamt noted that Amazon appealed the determination, which will be valid for five years if it is confirmed after the appeal.