The Bundeskartellamt (BKartA) is an independent competition authority based in Bonn. The Bundeskartellamt is entrusted with what is a pivotal regulatory task in any market economy, namely that of protecting competition.

The Bundeskartellamt deals with all restraints of competition that affect Germany. If only one of the Länder is affected, the cartel authority of the respective Land is responsible; mergers, however, are scrutinised by the Bundeskartellamt. The work of the Bundeskartellamt is based on the Act against Restraints of Competition. Where appropriate, the Bundeskartellamt also bases its rulings on European competition law, provided that the European Commission does not take action itself.