Cartels in competition law refer to agreements or arrangements between competing businesses to restrict competition and increase profits. These agreements often involve price fixing, market sharing, and bid rigging, and are considered illegal under competition laws. Cartels can harm consumers by limiting choices and driving up prices, and can also stifle innovation and hinder fair competition in the market. In order to combat cartels, competition laws are enforced by regulatory bodies to ensure fair and open competition for the benefit of consumers and the economy.