Arno Rasek has been appointed as the new head of the Bundeskartellamt’s 8th Decision Division, effective April 1, 2025. He will replace Christian Ewald, who recently transitioned to lead the 5th Decision Division.

The 8th Decision Division plays a crucial role in overseeing competition law matters related to various sectors, including merger control and abuse control proceedings. This division is also responsible for conducting administrative proceedings, which can be initiated either on its own accord or upon request.

In addition to monitoring the energy sector, the 8th Decision Division oversees several key areas, such as electricity, natural and liquid gas, hydrogen, district heating, drinking water and wastewater, and coal mining. This broad scope highlights the division's importance in maintaining competitive practices across essential industries.

The Bundeskartellamt's organizational structure reflects its commitment to effective competition law enforcement, with specialized divisions focusing on different sectors to ensure comprehensive oversight.