This includes regulating cooperation that hinders competition, misuse of a dominant market position and control of buy-outs and mergers.

Competition regulation in Norway dates back to the break-out of World War I when merchants made large profits maximizing the price of necessary goods.

An official report from 2009 concluded that the agencies had lost 75 to 90% of their employees, mostly those with long seniority, and that for a while critical functions for society were dysfunctional.

In a 2010 report, Professor Jarle Trondal concluded that none of the agencies had become more independent after the move, despite this being one of the main arguments from the minister.

Norman successor, Heidi Grande Røys of the Socialist Left Party, stated that the moving had had an important symbolic effect on the target areas, and that she did not see the lack of advantages as a reason to not move similar agencies later.