Entry barriers

Entry barriers in the European Union Law

Concept of Entry barriers provided by the “Glossary of terms used in EU competition policy” (Antitrust and control of concentrations, published in 2002): Barriers to entry are factors that prevent or hinder companies from entering a specific market. Entry barriers may result, for instance, from a particular market structure (for example, sunk cost industry, brand loyalty of consumers to existing products) or the behaviour of incum-bent firms. It is important to add that governments can also be a source of entry barriers (such as through licensing requirements and other regulations).