European Union – Rules on competition. The General Court of the European Union dismissed the application by Akzo Nobel, Akzo Nobel Chemicals Holding and Eka Chemicals for the annulment of Commission Decision C(2012) 3533 final rejecting a request for confidential treatment submitted pursuant to art 8 of Decision 2011/695/EU of the President of the European Commission (on the function and terms of reference of the hearing officer in certain competition proceedings).