CADE and MPF sign agreement for cartel enforcement

On 25 March, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) and the Prosecution Services of the Brazilian State of Rio de Janeiro (MP-RJ) signed a technical cooperation agreement to intensify joint operations to fight against cartels and other antitrust violations in Brazil. Alexandre Cordeiro, President of CADE, and Paulo Gonet, the Attorney General of Brazil, signed the document that establishes the information and resources exchange guidelines between the institutions.

The agreement is valid for a five-year term and may be extended, envisioning better coordination between the entities to investigate anticompetitive practices. The Câmara do Consumidor e da Ordem Econômica (3CCR) is responsible for the compliance with the technical cooperation agreement, while the Office of the Superintendent General at CADE is responsible for the implementation of a work plan.

The cooperation allows both institutions to legally share evidence and data collected in their respective investigations. CADE will provide information on cases and administrative proceedings to MPF which, in turn,  will share data obtained by civil and criminal investigations.

The  technical cooperation work plan has 3 main objectives. The first aims to enhance communication between the institutions to improve investigations. The second emphasizes data and documentary evidence exchange within the scope of the Brazilian legislation. To conclude, the third objective foresees the development and improvement of collaboration techniques and methodologies.