CADE executes new Leniency Agreement

In June, the Office of the Superintendent General at CADE (SG) executed a new Leniency Agreement to find and investigate anticompetitive practices in Brazil. The agreement reinforces the effectiveness of CADE’s Leniency Programme in uncovering anticompetitive behaviour and improving its enforcement against antitrust violations.

The execution takes place at the same time the authority launches its new Antitrust Leniency Programme Guidelines, available in Portuguese and English. The document includes improvements aimed at enhancing transparency, predictability, and legal certainty in the negotiation process, helping to foster more effective cooperation. According to Alexandre Barreto, Superintendent General of CADE, “leniency provides real outcomes, as it allows us to identify cartels, assist investigations, and improve the government’s role in fighting antitrust violations”.

Since 2003, CADE’s Leniency Programme has executed more than 115 agreements, allowing for the detection and punishment of hundreds of cartels in several markets.

Means of Cooperation

CADE provides several means to support the investigation and fight against antitrust violations. Companies, lawyers, and citizens may assist the authority in these matters by submitting complaints, whether anonymous or not, via the Clique-Denúncia platform, available on CADE’s website.

Additionally, companies and individuals that have engaged in anticompetitive conducts may seek a Leniency Agreement to cooperate, and possibly be exempted from penalties, or have them reduced upon the provision of relevant evidence and information. Access the Clique-Leniência platform for further information.

Civil society participation is essential to strengthen free competition and promote a fair and efficient economic environment