Law # 9736 strengthening Costa Rican competition authorities enters into force today following publication in the official bulletin “La Gaceta”. Under this law, the Competition Commission (COPROCOM) will become a full-time administrative tribunal and its budget will be significantly increased. Also, both the COPROCOM and the Superintendence of Telecommunications (SUTEL) will have more powers to conduct antitrust investigations, market studies and competition advocacy activities. The law introduces new pre-merger notification thresholds, new procedural rules and stronger penalties for antitrust violations. See the full text of law # 9736 here: