Komisiya za Zashtita na Konkurentsiyata (Commission for Protection of Competition — KZK)

The Komisiya za Zashtita na Konkurentsiyata (KZK — Commission for Protection of Competition) is Bulgaria's independent national competition authority, located at 18 Vitosha Blvd in Sofia's Sredets district in the commercial heart of the capital. Established in 1991 under the Zakon za zashtita na konkurentsiyata (Protection of Competition Act), KZK is responsible for enforcing Bulgarian and EU competition law, including merger control, prohibition of anti-competitive agreements (cartels) and abuse of dominant position, unfair competition, and state aid control in coordination with the European Commission. With approximately 120 employees including pravnitsi (lawyers) and economists, KZK reviews concentration notifications, investigates competition infringements across all sectors of the Bulgarian economy (energy, telecommunications, retail, pharmaceuticals, banking, and construction being among the most active), and imposes fines for violations. KZK cooperates closely with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition through the European Competition Network (ECN) and its decisions are subject to judicial review before the Supreme Administrative Court (Varhoven administrativen sad — VAS). KZK also has authority over public procurement complaints under the Zakon za obshtestvenite porachki (Public Procurement Act).