Finnish Competition Authority

The FCCA up­dated the guide­lines on im­mu­nity from penalty pay­ment and re­duc­ing the penalty pay­ment* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has updated the guidelines on immunity from penalty payment and reducing the penalty payment in cartel cases. According to the Competition (...)

FCCA ap­proves the ac­qui­si­tion of Po­hjola Sairaala by Pih­la­jalinna* On 14 January 2022, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved in the acquisition of Pohjola Hospital Ltd by Pihlajalinna Terveys Ltd. Pihlajalinna Group operates extensively in the markets for social and (...)

The FCCA proposes that nearly EUR 1,9 million in penalty payments be imposed on six companies operating in Turku subregion public transport services and their joint venture for severe restrictions on competition* Based on investigations of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (...)

The FCCA conditionally approves the merger between Valio and Heinon Tukku* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved the merger in which Valio Oy will purchase Heinon Tukku Oy on 30 June 2021. A precondition for approving the merger is that Valio undertakes to protect the (...)

Changes to monitoring competition restraints and sanctions imposed for infringements – amendments to the Competition Act will enter into force on 24 June 2021* Amendments that apply to the assessment of the penalty payments imposed for infringements have been made to the Competition Act. At the (...)

FCCA study: Expanding the obligation to notify mergers would create significant consumer benefit* Study by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority shows that the current national turnover thresholds allow harmful merges to escape the scrutiny of the authority. The study shows that the (...)

FCCA proposes that EUR 22 million in penalty payments be imposed for a price cartel on companies in real estate management and the Finnish Real Estate Management Federation* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) proposes that the Market Court impose penalty payments in total of (...)

Continuous development of algorithms requires ensuring the functioning of competition and the interests of consumers* Algorithms may have both positive and negative effects on competition and consumers. Two reports by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) show that the current (...)

FCCA opens in-depth investigation into proposed merger between Altia and Arcus* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has initiated further proceedings regarding the merger between Altia Oyj and Arcus ASA. The parties to the transaction are alcoholic beverage companies that (...)

The FCCA pharmacy market study proposes measures to reduce the costs of medicines for consumers and society* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has published an extensive study on the pharmacy market. The study produced a list of proposals that can reduce the pharmaceutical (...)

FCCA finds that the arrangement of social welfare and health care services in Savitaipale violated the Act on Public Procurement* According to a decision issued by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) on 7 October 2020, the Joint Municipal Authority of Social Welfare and (...)

FCCA removes the conditions set for the Posti/Atkos Printmail merger on application by Posti* On 25 September 2020, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved the Posti Group’s (Posti) application to remove the conditions set for the Posti/Atkos Printmail merger. In 2001, (...)

The FCCA proposes the Market Court to prohibit the merger between Mehiläinen and Pihlajalinna* On 29 September 2020, Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has proposed the Market Court to prohibit the merger between Mehiläinen and Pihlajalinna. According to the FCCA’s investigation, (...)

Nordic Competition Authorities release joint memorandum on digital platforms and the future of European policy* As a contribution to the debate on competition enforcement in the digital era and future rules for digital platforms, the Nordic competition authorities are today publishing a joint (...)

FCCA proposes a penalty payment to Kymsote for the unlawful direct procurement of ophthalmology services* On 24 September 2020, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) submitted a proposal to the Market Court to impose a penalty payment of 40,000 euros on the federation of (...)

The time limit for processing the merger of Loomis and Automatia has been extended until 14.10.2020* The Market Court has extended the processing time limit for the merger between Loomis AB and Automatia Pankkiautomaatit Oy, currently under investigation by the Finnish Competition and Consumer (...)

All Nordic countries have now joined the Agreement on Cooperation in Competition Cases* In July 2020, Iceland joined the Nordic Agreement on Cooperation in Competition Cases. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden had already joined the agreement. All Nordic countries are now parties to the (...)

The Market Court imposes EUR 50,000 penalty payments in total on HUS for direct procurement that breaches the Act on Public Procurement and Concession Contracts* As per two separate proposals made by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA), the Market Court has imposed a total (...)

FCCA opens in-depth investigation into the acquisition between Hankkija and SSO Rauta-Maatalous* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) will further investigate the proposed acquisition of the agricultural business of SSO Rauta-Maatalous Oy by Hankkija Oy. Hankkija is company (...)

The time limit for processing the merger of Mehiläinen and Pihlajalinna has been extended until 29 September 2020* The Market Court has extended the processing time limit for the merger of Mehiläinen and Pihlajalinna, which is being investigated by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Agency (...)

The time limit for processing the merger of Loomis and Automatia has been extended until 23 September 2020* The Market Court has extended the processing time limit for the merger between Loomis AB and Automatia Pankkiautomaatit Oy, currently under investigation by the Finnish Competition and (...)

FCCA proposes a penalty of EUR 9 million to IKH for resale price maintenance* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) proposes that the Market Court impose a penalty of EUR 9 million on Isojoen Konehalli Oy (IKH) for engaging in illegal resale price maintenance (RPM). In (...)

FCCA opens in-depth investigation into the proposed merger of Loomis and Automatia* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has initiated further proceedings regarding the proposed merger in which Loomis AB would acquire Automatia Pankkiautomaatit Oy from the banking companies (...)

The Finnish Heritage Agency is committed to undertake measures to improve neutral competition conditions* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has investigated into the business activities carried out by the Finnish Heritage Agency on the archaeological research market. As the (...)

FCCA approved Donges Teräs Oy’s acquisition of Ruukki Building Systems Ltd, subject to conditions* On 17 April 2020, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) conditionally approved the merger in which Donges Teräs Oy will acquire Ruukki Building Systems Oy. The competition problems (...)

Competition legislation does not prevent necessary measures for safeguarding the supply of personal protective equipment and medicines* The COVID-19 outbreak also affects the application of competition legislation. Companies are permitted to make extraordinary co-operative arrangements for the (...)

Exceptional circumstances caused by the coronavirus to affect the application of the Finnish Competition Act* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) will take into account the exceptional circumstances caused by the coronavirus when applying the Competition Act. During (...)

Kesko’s acquisition of Heinon Tukku blocked by the Finnish Market Court* The merger between Finnish grocery wholesalers, Kesko and Heinon Tukku, was prohibited by the Market Court on 17 February 2020. In accordance with the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority’s (FCCA) proposal, the Market (...)

FCCA suspects several taxi dispatch centres of illegal restrictions on competition* Investigations by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) have found that dispatch centres may have acted in breach of the Competition Act by discriminating in the dispatch of Kela-reimbursed (...)

FCCA: Competition and consumer protection are fundamental to data economy* With the market for digital products and services is growing, the functionality of competition and consumer protection are important considerations. A report by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA), (...)

The FCCA approves Posti’s acquisition of Transval, subject to conditions* Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has approved, subject to conditions, the acquisition of Suomen Transval Group Oy by Posti Group Oyj. A condition for the approval of the acquisition was that Posti (...)

FCCA report: Health service marketing promotes competition and customers’ freedom of choice* The FCCA has been studying how health service marketing is currently regulated and what kinds of challenges the health and social services reform is setting for health service marketing. Health service (...)

FCCA approves the acquisition between SOK and Stockmann Delicatessen subject to conditions* Today, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved the acquisition of Stockmann Group’s Delicatessen business by Suomen Osuuskauppojen Keskuskunta, SOK (The Central Finnish Cooperative (...)

The Market Court imposed penalty payments on several coach companies, the Finnish Bus and Coach Association and Matkahuolto* In its decision issued on 14 December 2017, the Market Court considered that the coach companies*), Finnish Bus and Coach Association and Matkahuolto have been guilty of (...)

The FCCA approves Scandic’s acquisition of Restel, with conditions* Today, the FCCA has approved the acquisition of Restel Hotellit Oy by Scandic Hotels Oy, with conditions. As a condition for the approval of the sale, the FCCA obliged Scandic to sell one hotel in Pori, Lahti and Kuopio to its (...)

FCCA has inspected bus and coach operators in Southwest Finland* The purpose of the inspections was to find out whether the operators were guilty of unlawful collaboration between competitors. The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority has a right to carry out inspections under the (...)

FCCA TO APPROVE A MERGER BETWEEN KESKO FOOD AND SUOMEN LÄHIKAUPPA, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has approved Kesko Food Ltd’s acquisition of Suomen Lähikauppa Oy, subject to certain conditions. The conditions imposed by the FCCA are an obligation to (...)

Market Court rejects FCCA’s penalty proposal concerning power line matter* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) had proposed that the Market Court impose a EUR 35 million penalty on Eltel Networks Oy and Eltel Group Oy for unlawful collaboration between competitors in power (...)

Market Court imposes fines on the Finnish Bakery Federation for forbidden price recommendations* The Market Court has imposed a EUR 15,000 penalty to the Finnish Bakery Federation’s unlawful price recommendations in 2007–2011. The Market Court’s decision is in line with the penalty proposal made (...)

FCCA proposes EUR 38 million penalty for a cartel involving 7 coach companies, the Finnish Bus and Coach Association and Matkahuolto* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has today presented the Market Court with a proposal for a EUR 38 million penalty concerning seven* of the (...)

FCCA halts investigation into VR Group’s domestic freight transport* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority’s (FCCA) investigations provided no basis for continuing the investigation. In October 2012, Fenniarail Ltd (formerly Proxion) submitted a request for action, concerning VR-Group (...)

FCCA closes investigation of abuse of dominant market position on the insulation board market* In a decision issued on 29 September 2015, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) closed an investigation concerning a potential case of abuse of a dominant market position by Finnfoam (...)

FCCA APPROVES ACQUISITION OF ACADEMIC BOOKSTORE BY BONNIER* On 24 September 2015, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved an acquisition whereby Bonnier Books Retail Finland Ltd, part of the Bonnier Media Group, will acquire the businesses of Academic Bookstore from (...)

The Court of Justice of the European Union has clarified the position of standard-essential patent holders from the perspective of competition law* On Thursday 16 July, the Court of Justice of the European Union gave a judgment on the relationship between patent law and competition law. The (...)

THE FINNISH COMPETITION AND CONSUMER AUTHORITY (FCCA) GIVES CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF ACQUISITION OF ANVIA BY ELISA* The FCCA has today accepted conditionally the transaction whereby Elisa Oyj will gain control over Anvia Oyj. The conditions relate to broadband services on a landline network (...)

The FCCA proposes a EUR 35 million fine on power line builder Eltel for participating in a cartel* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) today submitted a proposal to the Market Court to impose a fine of EUR 35 million on Eltel Networks Oy and Eltel Group Oy (hereinafter (...)

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority approved egg business acquisition subject to conditions* On 21 October 2014, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved an acquisition whereby DAVA Foods Holding A/S, a Danish company, acquires control of the Finnish company (...)

FCCA approves acquisition of Easy KM by ALD Automotive* On 8 July 2014, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved a transaction in which Axus Finland Oy, a subsidiary of the French company ALD Automotive, acquired the entire issued share capital of Easy KM Oy from Governia (...)

Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority: Numerous problems on the copyright market* The ambiguity of the legislation and the complexity of the market serve to fortify the monopoly of the collective management organisations on the market, says the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (...)

FCCA satisfied with Market Court ruling on Valio By a decision issued on 26 June, the Market Court rejected Valio’s appeal and imposed on the company a €70m fine proposed by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) for abuse of dominant position in the production and wholesale (...)

Report on the Criminalisation of Cartels was Presented to Stakeholders* Yesterday, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE) and the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) organised at the House of the Estates an expert seminar presenting the report on extending personal (...)

FCCA approves Ramboll and Pöyry corporate deal* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCAA) on 13 May 2014 gave its approval to a corporate deal in which the planning and consulting company Ramboll Finland acquires some of the activities of Pöyry Oyj. The corporate deal applies to the (...)

FCCA: Lack of uniformity in licensing and supervision practices hurt the ability of companies to operate on the market* The lack of uniformity among authorities in licensing and supervision practices make it more difficult for companies to enter the field and expand their operations, according (...)

FCAA: More competition in taxi services through legislative reform* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has made an initiative to the Ministry of Transport and Communications for reform in taxi legislation. To increase competition and consumer choice, the setting of maximum (...)

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority approved the merger between Elixia and SATS subject to conditions* On 24 February 2014, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) conditionnally approved a deal, in which Altor Fund III and TryghedsGruppen smba acquired joint control (...)

Corporate deal by Atria and Saarioinen approved by Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority* According to the assessment by the FCCA the acquisition does not have the kind of significant negative impact on competition as defined by the Competition Act On 21 January 2014 the Finnish (...)

Competition Act provision on grocery trade became effective on 1st of January* The prohibition in the Competition Act of abuse of dominant market position can, in accordance with the new paragraph 4a of the Act, be applied on companies whose national market share in the groceries retail (...)

Asphalt cartel trial concluded at Helsinki District Court* On the proposal of the Finnish Competition Authority, the Supreme Administrative Court ordered on 29 September 2009 Lemminkäinen Oyj, VLT-Trading Oy, Skanska Asfaltti Oy, NCC Roads Oy, SA-Capital Oy, Rudus Asfaltti Oy and Super Asfaltti (...)

Market Court: Valio must comply with Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority decision in spite of appeal* In an interim decision handed down on 28 June 2013, the Market Court rejected an appeal by Valio, in which it applied for a prohibition on implementation in the case concerning the (...)

FCCA to investigate the market impact of deal between DNA and PlusTV* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) decided on 24 June 2013 to initiate further proceedings concerning an acquisition that will give DNA Oy a controlling interest in Digi TV Plus Oy. Both parties of the (...)

The Supreme Administrative Court fines industry association for prohibited price recommendations* The Supreme Administrative Court gave the decision to the Finnish Hairdressers’ Association on 14 June 2013 regarding the pricing recommendations that the association had provided from 2000-2006. (...)

FCCA recommends a swift review of regulation of store locations in order to improve competition* A report Regulation of store locations – Perspective of entry and competition published on 6 June 2013 by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority finds that, if the regulation of store (...)

Competition and Consumer Authority welcomes Market Court decision in Uponor/KWH matter* The Finnish Market Court decided in its ruling on May 24, 2013 to set stringent conditions for a corporate acquisition deal by Uponor and KWH Group. The court ruled in accordance with a proposal made by the (...)

FCCA approved deal between Elisa and PPO but attached conditions* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) decided on 24 April 2013 to approve the deal in which Elisa Corporation acquires control of the companies PPO-Yhtiöt Oy, Kymen Puhelin Oy and Telekarelia Oy. However, the FCCA (...)

An abridged English version of the Finnish Competition Authority’s study on the Trade in Groceries is now available* According to the FCA study on buying power in the trade in groceries, retailers use their firm position with respect to suppliers in several ways that may be considered (...)

Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority study: contract practices and regulation put primary producers in a difficult position in the food supply chain The position of primary producers in the food supply chain is made more difficult both by tight regulation and groceries trade and food (...)