Legal topics

European Commission initiates investigation into support measures for DB Cargo 

In its decision of January 31, 2022, the European Commission initiated a formal investigation into the German Federal Government. The investigation is based on a complaint from a competitor. The competitor believes the profit transfer agreement between DB Cargo AG and DB AG, as well as certain other measures, represents competition-distorting aid from DB AG. The purpose of the investigation that has now been initiated is to clarify the questions raised. The European Commission is conducting the investigation without prejudging the outcome. The German Federal Government and DB Group had already rejected the allegations in the preliminary proceedings on the grounds that the measures did not actually include any aid.