das  Bundeskartellamt

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʊndəskaʁtɛlˌʔamt/

🏛️ What exactly is das Bundeskartellamt?

Das Bundeskartellamt is the central competition authority of the Federal Republic of Germany, headquartered in Bonn. It is an independent higher federal authority operating under the purview of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Its main task is to protect competition in Germany. It ensures that companies compete fairly with each other and that consumers can benefit from diversity and fair prices.

Specifically, this means:

• Kartellverfolgung (Cartel prosecution): Detecting and prohibiting illegal price-fixing agreements or market allocations (cartels).
• Fusionskontrolle (Merger control): Reviewing company mergers to prevent the creation of dominant market positions.
• Missbrauchsaufsicht (Abuse supervision): Intervening against the abuse of a dominant market position by individual companies.

As it is the name of a specific authority, the only article is das (like das Amt - the office).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: das Bundeskartellamt

The word "Bundeskartellamt" is a noun of neuter gender (sächliches Geschlecht). It is always used with the article das. It's a proper name of an authority and therefore mostly used in the singular.

Declension Singular

⚠️ A plural form ("die Bundeskartellämter") is grammatically possible but very unusual, as there is only one such authority. It might be used in a hypothetical context at most.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Bundeskartellamt hat die Fusion genehmigt.
   (The Federal Cartel Office approved the merger.)
2. Die Entscheidung des Bundeskartellamts wird erwartet.
   (The decision of the Federal Cartel Office is expected.)
3. Der Fall wurde dem Bundeskartellamt gemeldet.
   (The case was reported to the Federal Cartel Office.)
4. Man informierte das Bundeskartellamt über die Preisabsprachen.
   (The Federal Cartel Office was informed about the price-fixing agreements.)

💡 Usage and Context

The term das Bundeskartellamt is mainly used in contexts related to economics, law, and politics. You might hear or read about it in:

• Business news (regarding mergers, acquisitions, cartel proceedings)
• Political discussions about competition policy
• Legal texts and judgments
• Official communications from the authority itself

Colloquially, people might just say "Kartellamt" if the context is clear. It's important not to confuse it with the Monopolkommission (Monopolies Commission), which advises the federal government but does not have decision-making powers like das Bundeskartellamt.

Abbreviation: BKartA

🧠 Mnemonics

For the article: Think of das Amt (the office). Many German nouns ending in "-amt" are neuter (sächlich). So, the Bundes-Kartell-Amt is das Amt.

For the meaning: Imagine the Amt (office) acting like a referee, watching out (aufpassen) that companies don't secretly cooperate (form a Kartell) and distort competition. It's the Federal (Bundes) office against cartels (Kartelle).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Risk of Confusion: Do not confuse with the Monopolkommission (advisory body) or the Landeskartellbehörden (state cartel authorities responsible for cases with regional impact).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Unternehmer den anderen: "Hast du Angst vor dem Bundeskartellamt?"
Antwortet der andere: "Nein, wieso? Wir haben doch gar keine Konkurrenz, mit der wir uns absprechen könnten!" 😉

---

One entrepreneur asks another: "Are you afraid of the Federal Cartel Office?"
The other replies: "No, why? We don't have any competition to collude with!" 😉

📜 Poem about the Office

In Bonn, da wacht ein strenges Haus,
das Bundeskartellamt schaut scharf hinaus.
Wo Firmen kungeln, Preise binden,
da wird es schnell den Riegel finden.

Für fairen Markt und Wettbewerb,
gegen Monopol und schlimmen Scherb'.
Es prüft Fusionen, groß und klein,
so soll der Handel sauber sein.

---

In Bonn, a watchful house does stand,
The Cartel Office scans the land.
Where firms collude, fix prices tight,
It quickly steps in with its might.

For fairness in the market's play,
Against monopoly's harsh sway.
It checks the mergers, big and small,
Ensuring honest trade for all.

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich bin ein Amt, doch kein Finanzamt,
Ich kämpfe gegen Preisdiktat.
Ich sitze in Bonn, bin auf der Hut,
dass fairer Wettbewerb bleibt gut.
Fusionen prüfe ich genau,
sonst gibt's vom Markt schnell einen Stau.

Wer bin ich?

---

I am an office, but not for tax,
I fight against price-fixing tracks.
I sit in Bonn, always alert,
Ensuring fair competition isn't hurt.
I check mergers with a careful eye,
Lest market jams cause trade to die.

Who am I?

Answer: Das Bundeskartellamt (The Federal Cartel Office)

🧩 Word Composition and Trivia

The word "Bundeskartellamt" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Bund(es)-: Refers to the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland), indicating national jurisdiction.
• Kartell: German for cartel, referring to an association or agreement between companies to restrict competition. The office fights these.
• Amt: German for office or agency.

Trivia: Das Bundeskartellamt was founded in 1958. Its seat was initially chosen not in the then-capital Bonn, but in West Berlin, to strengthen the city's ties to the Federal Republic. After German reunification, it moved to Bonn in 1999.