Date: 2025-11-13Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 117/25/COL of 9 July 2025 on the designation of a new Hearing Officer in certain competition proceedings [2025/2308]
**Executive Summary**
This document is EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 117/25/COL, dated 9 July 2025, concerning the designation of a new Hearing Officer in certain competition proceedings. The decision terminates the appointment of Michael Sánchez Rydelski and appoints Johanne Førde as the new Hearing Officer. The decision enters into force on 9 July 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Appointment of Hearing Officer:**
* Johanne Førde is appointed as a Hearing Officer.
* **Termination of Previous Appointment:**
* The appointment of Michael Sánchez Rydelski as Hearing Officer is terminated.
* **Publication and Information:**
* The appointment of Johanne Førde and the termination of Michael Sánchez Rydelski's appointment will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the EEA Supplement, and on the EFTA Surveillance Authority's website.
* EFTA States and the European Commission will be informed of the Decision.
* **Entry into Force:**
* The Decision is authentic in English and enters into force on 9 July 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**EFTA Surveillance Authority**
* **Impact:** Must publish the appointment and termination, inform EFTA States and the European Commission.
* **Action Required:** Ensure publication and information dissemination are completed.
**Michael Sánchez Rydelski**
* **Impact:** Termination of appointment as Hearing Officer.
* **Action Required:** Acknowledge termination.
**Johanne Førde**
* **Impact:** Appointment as Hearing Officer.
* **Action Required:** Assume duties of Hearing Officer.
**EFTA States and European Commission**
* **Impact:** Informed of the change in Hearing Officer.
* **Action Required:** Note the change in Hearing Officer.
Key Entities Referenced
EFTA Surveillance Authority: An entity responsible for monitoring compliance with EEA Agreement obligations in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 442/12/COL: Decision on the function and terms of reference of the Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings
Hearing Officer: An individual appointed to oversee fair process in certain competition proceedings for the EFTA Surveillance Authority.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/2308 13.11.2025
EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISIONNo 117/25/COL
of 9 July 2025
on the designation of a new Hearing Officer in certain competition proceedings [2025/2308]
THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,
HAVING REGARD TO
Article 2(1) of EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 442/12/COL of 29 November 2012 on the function and terms of
reference of the Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings;(1)
WHEREAS
Michael Sánchez Rydelski was appointed as one of the Hearing Officers under Decision No 058/19/COL of 12 July 2019.
Mr Rydelski’s contract of employment with the EFTA Surveillance Authority has ended and it is therefore appropriate to
terminate his appointment as Hearing Officer and to appoint a new Hearing Officer to replace him.
Johanne Førde, Legal Advisor of the Legal and Executive Affairs Directorate, has the requisite qualifications and experience
to take up the duties of Hearing Officer alongside Maria Moustakali, appointed pursuant to Decision No 094/23/COL of
5 July 2023, who continues in post.
The operation of Hearing Officers and the way they are best able to exercise their functions currently remains under review.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Appointment of a new Hearing Officer
Johanne Førde, official of the EFTA Surveillance Authority, is appointed Hearing Officer for the purposes of EFTA
Surveillance Authority Decision No 442/12/COL.
Article 2
Termination of previous appointment
The appointment of Michael Sánchez Rydelski, pursuant to Decision No 058/19/COL of 12 July 2019 on the designation of
new Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings, is terminated.
Article 3
Publication and Information
The appointment as Hearing Officer of Johanne Førde, and the termination of the appointment of Michael Sánchez
Rydelski, shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and in the EEA Supplement thereto, as well as on the
EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website. The EFTA States and the European Commission shall be informed by means of a
copy of this Decision.
(1) OJ L 190, 11.7.2013, p. 93, and EEA Supplement No 40, 11.7.2013, p. 3.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2308/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 13.11.2025
Article 4
Entry into force
This Decision shall be authentic in the English language and shall enter into force on 9 July 2025.
Done at Brussels, 9 July 2025.
For the EFTA Surveillance Authority,
Arne RØKSUND Stefan BARRIGA
President College Member
Árni Páll ÁRNASON Melpo-MenieJOSÉPHIDÈS
Responsible College Member Countersigning as Director
Legal and Executive Affairs
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2308/oj