Leniency applications are often perceived as the primary or only method to detect cartels. Many competition authorities, however, do not have leniency programmes or their programmes are not sufficiently effective, yet they still successfully identify cartel activities.
Authorities’ detection toolboxes should include other reactive methods, such as complaints and whistleblowing programmes, as well as proactive detection tools, relying on the use of economics, national and international case analysis and industry monitoring, agency co-operation, and advanced technology-led screens.
In December 2023 the OECD Global Forum on Competition explored in depth alternatives to leniency programmes, namely reactive and proactive detection tools.