Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)

Dutch Competition Authority

Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) creates opportunities and options for businesses and consumers alike: opportunities through innovation, new products, services and businesses, and options because therein lies the key to having well-functioning markets. We want consumers to have a real choice, and to have consumers who are not afraid of making a choice. That is why we want businesses be open about what they offer. And finally, consumers should be informed of what their rights are. Fair trade between businesses and consumers: that is what ACM aims for.

Linked authors

Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)

Articles

35156 Bulletin

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority supports the EU Commission’s investigation into the acquisition of a traffic safety system manufacturer by one of the largest microchips manufacturers for various applications including driving-assistance systems (Qualcomm / Autotalks)

106

ACM supports European Commission’s investigation into the acquisition of Autotalks by Qualcomm* The European Commission will investigate the acquisition of Autotalks by Qualcomm. Various European competition authorities, including the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority welcomes commitments submitted by a national energy trade company after the Authority’s investigation revealed that the company made a typing error during natural gas sales and failed to communicate about this error (Eneco Energy Trade)

104

Eneco Energy Trade takes measures following ACM’s investigation into an incorrect market order* Energy trader Eneco Energy Trade (EET) has made commitments to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) regarding measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of incorrect market (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority publishes a resale price maintenance checklist following many reports about suppliers of baby and children’s products setting retail prices for retailers

122

ACM has received many reports about suppliers of baby and children’s products setting retail prices for retailers* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has warned various suppliers of baby and children’s products. ACM receives many reports about suppliers exerting undue (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority concludes the follow-up investigation into the competition problems caused by barriers to switch cloud services, following its finding that the European Data Act addresses these concerns

99

European Data Act to make it easier to switch cloud services* The new European rules regarding IT services in ‘clouds’ are needed for making the market for business cloud services more competitive. This has been one of the main conclusions of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority opens a consultation with market participants to assess whether a different form of access to the cable network is needed for ensuring effective competition with regard to high-speed broadband in Amsterdam

77

ACM: further assessment is needed in areas with high-speed broadband over cable only* The Netherlands Authority for Consumer and Markets (ACM) will assess whether measures are needed to promote competition in areas where people are only able to take out high-speed broadband plans (at least (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority concludes that higher energy prices paid by consumers are not unreasonable and are not a result of anticompetitive conduct but instead due to turbulence in the energy markets (Eneco / Essent / Vattenfall)

238

ACM: the tariffs of the three largest energy suppliers are not unreasonable* An investigation conducted by the Netherlands Authority of Consumers and Markets (ACM) has shown that energy suppliers Eneco, Essent, and Vattenfall currently do not charge unreasonable tariffs. The profits earned (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The EU Commission receives a merger referral from the Dutch Competition Authority concerning a proposed acquisition of a web-based interactive product designer by a rival (Figma / Adobe)

103

European Commission to assess the acquisition of Figma by Adobe* The European Commission will assess the acquisition of Figma by Adobe. Various European competition authorities support the request filed by the Austrian competition authority with the European Commission to assess this (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority updates its guideline on price arrangements between self-employed workers to allow independent contractors negotiate collectively without violating the competition rules

58

Self-employed workers are able to negotiate collectively without violating the competition rules* Self-employed workers (independent contractors) are able to negotiate collectively for pay and other terms of employment without violating the competition rules. Following amendments to European (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority concludes that a takeover of an undertaking will lead to the creation of a dominant position in the media industry (RTL / Talpa)

51

ACM: Takeover media company Talpa by RTL leads to dominant position* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) concludes that the proposed amendments of the transaction between the media companies RTL and Talpa are insufficient to remove the concern that the transaction will (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority decides that two energy companies may collaborate in the storage of C02 in empty north sea gas fields (Shell / TotalEnergies)

223

ACM: Shell and TotalEnergies can collaborate in the storage of CO2 in empty North Sea gas fields* Following an assessment of their plans, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has decided to allow competitors Shell and TotalEnergies to collaborate in the storage of CO2 in (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority imposes a fine of 150,000 Euros on an energy producer for violating rules of the wholesale energy market on inside information (PZEM Energy)

117

ACM imposes fine on PZEM Energy for violating rules for the wholesale energy market* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has imposed a fine of 150,000 euros on PZEM Energy B.V., a Dutch energy producer, supplier, and trader, because it had failed to comply with the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority imposes orders on pilgrimage travel service providers which mandate provision of travel guarantee measures to pilgrimage customers (Alferdoos / Amlex Travel / Elfourssan Reizen / Salsabil Travel / Taoufik Reizen / Wadi Alrafidein)

295

Providers of pilgrimage packages have stopped selling them or have taken travel guarantee measures following ACM action* Six providers of pilgrimage packages that the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) had previously compelled to take the necessary travel guarantee (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority accepts the commitments made by a telecom operator and a fiber-optic company to lower tariffs for competitors to access their networks (KPN / Glaspoort)

487

ACM anticipates savings for Dutch households of up to 200 million euros per year because of fiber-optic arrangements* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has published a draft decision following recent proposals from Dutch telecom operator KPN and fiber-optic company (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority’s investigation of a merger between two hospitals led the parties to withdraw their application (Erasmus University Medical Center / IJsselland Hospital)

51

Erasmus University Medical Center and IJsselland Hospital withdraw application for acquisition license* Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC) in the city of Rotterdam will not acquire IJsselland Hospital located in the town of Capelle aan den IJssel. The hospitals have informed the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority finds that the revised conditions imposed by a Big Tech on dating-app providers are unreasonable and creates barriers to entry (Apple)

56

ACM: Developing a new app is an unnecessary and unreasonable condition that Apple imposes on dating-app providers* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets has concluded that the revised conditions that Apple has imposed on dating-app providers are unreasonable, and create an (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority ceases an investigation into a pharma company after it promises to halt potentially abusive discounting of an arthritis drug (Pfizer)

85

Drug manufacturer Pfizer to discontinue its steering pricing structure for Enbrel following discussions with ACM* Drug manufacturer Pfizer will no longer persuade hospitals in the Netherlands into purchasing anti-rheumatic drug Enbrel through its discount schemes. Pfizer has informed the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority orders a Big Tech company to adjust the unreasonable conditions in its app store that forbids dating app providers to choose freely a payment system for purchases made in the apps by consumers (Apple)

206

ACM obliges Apple to adjust unreasonable conditions for its App Store* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has ordered Apple to adjust the unreasonable conditions in its App Store that apply to dating-app providers. Dating-app providers are currently not able to choose (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority blocks the merger between two healthcare service providers due to threat of anticompetitive effects (Mautitskliniek / Bergman Clinics)

179

ACM blocks acquisition of Maritskliniek by Bergman Clinics* After a thorough investigation, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has decided to block the planned acquisition of Dutch health care provider Mauritskliniek by rival provider Bergman Clinics. ACM has concluded (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority decides that further investigation is needed into the acquisition of a holiday village park chain by its competitor (Landal / Roompot)

497

Further investigation needed into acquisition of holiday village park chain Landal by rival chain Roompot* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has decided that a further investigation is needed into the acquisition of holiday village park chain Landal by rival chain (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority suspends its investigation into a possible price-fixing cartel between several supermarkets due to the conclusion of a new collective agreement

588

ACM suspends investigation into possible wage-fixing cartel between supermarkets after conclusion of collective agreement* There are indications that several supermarkets in February made arrangements regarding a limited wage increase of 2.5 percent for their employees. This was found by the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority publishes a press release providing information following the passing of a new law that protects food producers from unfair commercial practices by big buyers

55

Food suppliers can file reports about unfair commercial practices with ACM* The positions of farmers, growers, and fishermen vis-à-vis major buyers have been strengthened. That is the result of the new Dutch Act regarding unfair commercial practices in the agricultural and food supply chain. (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority, the Data Protection Authority, the Financial Markets Authority, and the Media Authority announce the launch of a Digital Regulation Cooperation Platform, highlighting their intention to work together more closely to strengthen oversight of digital and online activities

339

Dutch regulators strengthen oversight of digital activities by intensifying cooperation* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP), the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), and the Dutch Media Authority (CvdM) will work (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority imposes fines totalling almost €4M on two major national collectors of used cooking oil for making price-fixing purchase agreements (Rotie / Nieuwcom)

258

ACM imposes fines for price-fixing agreements involving the purchase of used cooking oil* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has imposed fines, totaling almost four million euros, on two major collectors of used cooking oil, for making cartel agreements regarding the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority imposes a fine totaling €39 million on a television manufacturer for influencing the online prices of television sets (Samsung)

166

ACM fines Samsung over 39 million euros for influencing the online prices of television sets* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) imposes a fine of over 39 million euros on Samsung Electronics Benelux B.V. (Samsung). From January 2013 through December 2018, Samsung (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority conditionally clears the acquisition of a distributor of educational materials by a publisher after a follow-up investigation (Iddink / Sanoma Learning)

330

After follow-up investigation, ACM still conditionally clears acquisition of Iddink Group by Sanoma Learning* Publisher Sanoma Learning is allowed to acquire Iddink Group, a distributor of educational materials. Following a court ruling, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority clears the acquisition of 3 transport companies specialized in the handling of flowers and plants by a national cooperative of floriculture growers (Royal FloraHolland / Floriway)

311

ACM clears acquisition of three floriculture-product transport companies by Dutch cooperative Royal FloraHolland* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared the acquisition of three transport companies specialized in the handling of flowers and plants by Royal (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority closes its investigation into a possible violation of competition law in the home decor sector due to having to prioritize other investigations

479

ACM closes investigation into possible violation of competition rules in home-decor sector* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has closed its investigation into a possible violation of competition rules in the home-decor sector. ACM gives priority to other (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority carries out studies into whether consumers and businesses could benefit from better price-quality ratios for their broadband, television, fixed telephony and data connections

157

ACM explores regulation of access to telecom networks* Over the past few months, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has carried out studies into whether consumers and businesses could benefit from better price-quality ratios for their broadband, television, fixed (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority conducts further investigations into whether the acquisition of a healthcare clinic could lead to higher prices for health insurers (Mauritskliniek / Bergman)

150

Further investigation needed into the acquisition of Mauritskliniek by Bergman Clinics* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has not yet cleared the acquisition of health care provider Mauritskliniek by rival provider Bergman Clinics. ACM wishes to conduct a further (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority announces move by a Big Tech company to require software developers to add information about data use to apps in its app store (Google Play)

71

Google to require providers to add information about data use to apps in its app store* In its app store Google Play, Google will require app providers to indicate what personal data each app uses. Google will introduce this requirement this summer. Apple already implemented this requirement (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority investigates the acquisition of 3 product transport companies by a national cooperative of floriculture growers (Royal FloraHolland / Floriway)

208

Further investigation needed into acquisition of three floriculture-product transport companies by Dutch cooperative Royal FloraHolland* Royal FloraHolland (RFH), a Dutch cooperative of floriculture growers, wishes to acquire three transport companies specialized in the handling of flowers (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority finds in its study of major tech firms on the national payment market that tightening of rules is needed to maintain a level playing field

95

Big Tech and the Dutch payment market: tightening of rules needed to maintain a level playing field* Big Tech companies such as Apple, Facebook, Amazon, or Ant Group (Alibaba) must ensure that their platforms or devices are suitable for different providers of payment services. The (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority fines 4 cigarette manufacturers EUR 88 million for distorting competition through exchange of information through third parties (British American Tobacco / JT International / Phillip Morris / Van Nelle Tabak)

236

Four cigarette manufacturers fined 82 million euros for distorting competition* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has imposed fines totaling more than 82 million euros on four major cigarette manufacturers. Between July 2008 and July 2011, they distorted competition. (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority closes its investigation into a drug manufacturer after receiving assurances that it will not use its discount schemes to force hospitals into exclusive purchases (AbbVie)

303

ACM closes investigation into drug manufacturer AbbVie, competitors get more room now* Drug manufacturer AbbVie has stated that it will not force hospitals to purchase exclusively or to a large extent from AbbVie through discount schemes (or rebate programs). AbbVie has made these assurances (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority issues recommendations regarding the conditions under which network companies are allowed to install and manage heat networks if they also act as heat network operators

120

ACM does not see any major obstacles, but does see risks if network companies also act as heat network operators* At the request of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK), the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has issued additional recommendations (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority finds in its market study that supermarkets offer chicken meat that is more sustainable without any anti-competitive agreements

221

Dutch supermarkets offer chicken meat that is more sustainable without any anticompetitive agreements* Dutch supermarkets nowadays offer a lot more chicken-meat varieties where the chickens have lived better lives. Virtually all of the chicken meat varieties currently on offer have been (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority allows hospitals and pharmaceutical wholesalers to collaborate during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent or reduce any shortages of essential drugs

388

ACM: room for collaboration involving the distribution of essential drugs for COVID-19 patients* Hospitals, hospital pharmacies, and pharmaceutical wholesalers are allowed to collaborate closely with each other during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in order to prevent or reduce (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority conditionally approves a joint venture by the largest domestic public-transport company and a mobility service provider to create a travel app (Dutch Railways / Pon)

287

Mobility service provider Pon en Dutch Railways NS are conditionally allowed to create travel app together* Dutch Railways NS and Pon are allowed to create a new company, which will operate an app that allows consumers to plan, book and pay for their trips, combining different modes of (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority clears merger between 2 educational institutions because they offer education to different target audiences (TIO University of Applied Sciences / NCOI)

177

ACM clears acquisition of educational institution TIO by rival institution NCOI* Dutch educational institution NCOI is allowed to acquire rival institution TIO University of Applied Sciences. Both TIO and NCOI offer professional courses, as well as accredited vocational programs at the upper (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority suspends enforcement proceedings against a national postal operator because the initiating competitor has since been acquired by the national postal operator, resulting in fundamental changes in the market organization (PostNL / Sandd)

179

ACM suspends enforcement proceedings against Dutch postal operator PostNL* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has decided to suspend its enforcement proceedings against Dutch postal operator PostNL, which had been initiated following a request for enforcement filed by (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority urges the national association of notaries to remove prohibited recommendations about price from its information materials for members (Royal Dutch Association of Civil-law Notaries)

68

Dutch trade association of civil-law notaries to adjust information on passing on fees* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has urged the Royal Dutch Association of Civil-law Notaries (KNB) to adjust the information about passing on a fee for the ’Notarial Quality Fund (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority clears the acquisition of a publishing company by a rival publisher operating in the markets for online news and online advertisement (Sanoma Media / DPG Media)

104

ACM clears acquisition of publishing company Sanoma Media by rival publisher DPG Media* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared the acquisition of publishing company Sanoma Media Netherlands by rival publisher DPG Media (formerly De Persgroep Nederland). After (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority reminds businesses to maintain compliance during the COVID-19 outbreak, including dominant companies avoiding excessive prices and all companies avoiding price fixing

568

ACM’s oversight during the Coronavirus crisis* The current Coronavirus outbreak has far-reaching effects on people and businesses. These are extraordinary times. ACM is closely monitoring economic developments, and is ready to answer any questions about collaborations that companies wish to (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority closely monitors the economic developments raising from COVID-19 and is ready to answer any questions about collaborations that companies wish to launch to combat the crisis

59

ACM’s oversight during the Coronavirus crisis* The current Coronavirus outbreak has far-reaching effects on people and businesses. These are extraordinary times. ACM is closely monitoring economic developments, and is ready to answer any questions about collaborations that companies wish to (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority opens an investigation into a potential cartel involving reusable waste products and conducts dawn raids in the sector (Waste buyers cartel)

425

ACM conducts investigation into possible buyer cartel involving reusable waste products* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is conducting an investigation into a possible buyer cartel involving certain reusable waste products. As part of this investigation, ACM (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority identifies anticompetitive risks in a port towage joint venture which the companies later decided to dissolve (Svitzer / Iskes)

426

JOINT VENTURE PORT TOWAGE AMSTERDAM TO BE DISSOLVED, FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION OF ACM* Joint ventures cannot be used for circumventing competition rules. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) investigated the joint venture Port Towage Amsterdam (PTA). This joint venture (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority imposes a fine of €1.84 million on a company for obstructing and deleting chat conversations during a dawn raid (WhatsApp)

287

ACM HAS IMPOSED A FINE OF 1.84 MILLION EUROS FOR DELETING WHATSAPP CHAT CONVERSATIONS DURING A DAWN RAID* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has imposed a fine on a company for obstructing an ACM investigation. During a recent dawn raid, employees of the company under (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority makes legally binding remedies proposed by a media company ending discount scheme in the radio advertising spots market (One Media Sales)

45

Following an ACM investigation, media company OMS is to adjust its discount scheme for radio advertising spots* From January 1, 2020, Dutch media company One Media Sales (OMS) will stop offering its so-called ‘budget-share discount’ when selling radio advertising spots. OMS has made this (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority takes note of The Hague Court of Appeal’s favourable ruling in a case which alleged the Competition Authority infringed the rights of a defendant in a dawn raid

16

Court of Appeal ruling on the (digital) working method of the ACM* The Court of Appeal in The Hague has ruled – just like the preliminary relief judge in The Hague did before – that the way ACM conducts investigations and conducts raids on companies is not in conflict with the law. According (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority, with the German Competition Authority, fines three undertakings for cartel in the harbor towage sector (Fairplay / Bugsier / Petersen & Alpers)

182

Collaboration between Bundeskartellamt and ACM leads to fines in towage sector* Today, the German competition authority, the Bundeskartellamt, announced it has imposed fines on three undertakings and their executives, totaling approximately EUR 13 million in connection with their involvement (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority, after its market study into online video platforms, finds no dominant market power among online video streaming platforms (Youtube / Facebook / Netflix / Dumpert)

316

No dominant market power among online video streaming platforms* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has conducted a market study into online video platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Netflix, and Dumpert. ACM did not find any indications for anticompetitive risks on (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority sends a letter explaining the basic rules regarding fair competition to over 3,500 companies operating in the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam

150

ACM calls port industry’s attention to competition rules* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has sent a letter explaining the basic rules regarding fair competition to over 3,500 businesses based in Amsterdam and Rotterdam that are active in the ports of those cities. (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority takes note of the Rotterdam District Court’s ruling upholding fines against four launderettes for market sharing (Laundries Cartel)

15

Court ruling fine laundries cartel* On 8 December 2011, ACM imposed fines on four laundries that provide textiles for healthcare institutions for violation of the Competition Act. The laundries had divided the Netherlands into districts and agreed that they would each have a district. It was (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority takes note of the favourable ruling by the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal upholding €9M worth of fines on onion cartel participants (Silver Onion Cartel)

13

Statements CBb fine silver onion cartel* The Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) has upheld the fines imposed on growers and processors of silver onions on appeal. What is the case about? On 25 May 2012, ACM imposed fines of more than 8 million euros on growers and processors of (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority maintains its fines on 13 reading folder producers for market sharing and information exchange agreements (ATC / De Map Holding / De Meteoor / Demob / EKL Reading Folders / Reading Circle Intimate)

17

Decision on objection fine in cartel case Leesmappen* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) maintains its opinion that the reading folder companies have made agreements that restrict competition. On November 7, 2013, ACM fined thirteen companies that distribute reading (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority prohibits a merger between two hospitals because of the potential negative effects to consumers (Albert Schweitzer Hospital / Rivas Zorggroep)

19

ACM prohibits proposed merger between two Dutch hospital groups* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has not approved the proposed merger of two hospital groups in the southwestern part of the Netherlands, near the cities of Dordrecht and Gorinchem: Albert Schweitzer (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority clears a merger of three care providers in the northern Dutch province of Friesland (Kwadrantgroep, Antonius Zorggroep and Nij Smellinghe / Pasana)

156

ACM clears merger between three northern care providers* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared the merger of three care providers in the northern Dutch province of Friesland, which are Kwadrantgroep, Antonius Zorggroep and Nij Smellinghe/Pasana. These three (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority fines a company for having abused of its dominance, inter alia, by refusing to inform in advance competitors that use its network about what services it will offer to its own business customers (KPN)

334

KPN fined for putting competitors at a disadvantage with regard to its business call-forwarding service* Dutch telecom company KPN is required to inform in advance competitors that use its network about what services KPN will offer to its own business customers. In addition, KPN must in a (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority closes its investigation against a pharmaceutical company suspected of abuse of dominance by differencing the price of its drug sold inside and outside of hospitals (AstraZeneca)

269

ACM closes investigation into AstraZeneca* The Netherlands Authority for Consumer and Markets (ACM) has carried out an investigation into the large price difference between the price that international pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca asked for heart burn drug Nexium sold inside hospitals, (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets issues an unbundling certificate concerning the operation of electricity cable between Maasvlakte in the Netherlands and the Isle of Grain in the UK

153

The Netherlands finalises important part of the Third Energy Package* Transmission system operator BritNed Development Ltd. has received an unbundling certificate from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM). BritNed has demonstrated to comply with the ‘unbundling (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority finds that the proposed acquisition of a telco may lead to restrictions for other companies on the use of the fiber-optic cable network (KPN / Reggefiber)

255

Further investigation needed into planned acquisition of Reggefiber by KPN* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will launch a more detailed investigation into the planned acquisition of Dutch fiber-optic company Reggefiber by Dutch telecom provider KPN. In 2008, ACM (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets submits to the European Commission that a merger between two largest domestic cable companies shall be reviewed in the Netherlands (UPC / Ziggo)

88

ACM: merger between cable companies UPC and Ziggo should be assessed in the Netherlands* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is convinced that the merger between cable companies UPC and Ziggo should be assessed in the Netherlands. ACM has therefore requested the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority takes note of the favourable ruling by the Rotterdam District Court upholding €9M worth of fines on onion cartel participants (Silver Onion Cartel)

20

Rotterdam court ruling on silver onion cartel* On 25 May 2012, ACM (then NMa) imposed fines totaling more than EUR 9 million on companies that grow and process silver onions for violating the Dutch and European cartel prohibition. The companies concerned, with a large joint market share, had (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets finds that providing data about license plates for free or for a small fee is not an economic activity (RDW)

75

Providing ‘bare’ data by RDW is not an economic activity* Providing ‘bare’ data about license plates for free or for a small fee by RDW, the Dutch national motor vehicle and driving license registration authority, is not an economic activity. This was revealed by an analysis that the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal schedules hearings as regards an application for interim injunction against two orders subject to periodic penalty payments imposed by ACM on the national telecom company (KPN)

131

ACM orders KPN to hand over information that has been withheld* On January 31, 2014, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) twice imposed an order subject to periodic penalty payments on Dutch telecom company KPN ordering the company to hand over to ACM information it had (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority decides not to take further action against a credit card company following the adjustment of the interbank tariffs for domestic credit-card payments (MasterCard)

256

ACM: MasterCard lowers tariffs for credit card payments* Over the next two years, financial-services company MasterCard will lower the tariffs that banks charge each other for processing domestic credit-card payments. As a result, businesses such as in retail and the hospitality industry (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority imposes fines on the national association of medical practitioners for restricting the freedom of choice of the patients (LHV)

181

ACM issues decision on objection regarding the establishment of new GPs* In late-2011, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) imposed a fine on the Dutch National Association of General Practitioners (LHV). Following an objection filed by LHV, ACM has reviewed the case (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority allows blocking certain internet services onboard trains of the national railway company as an exception from the net neutrality rule (T-Mobile)

337

Telecom company T-Mobile is allowed to restrict free internet access on board trains* The Netherlands Authority for Consumer and Markets (ACM) has concluded that Dutch telecom company T-Mobile is allowed to block certain services such as YouTube and Spotify on the free Wi-Fi-network on board (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands ACM recommends four construction companies and six public-housing corporations to open up energy-neutral-housing renovation project (De Stroomversnelling)

77

ACM wants more competition in energy-neutral-housing renovation project* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) has recommended the four construction companies and six public-housing corporations that joined forces in the project ‘De Stroomversnelling’ to open up the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority A Dutch District Court upholds ACM’s decision concerning imposition of fines on the national telecom company for failing to inform its competitors about a discount scheme (KPN)

171

ACM fines KPN for putting competitors at a disadvantage in government tender* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) imposed a fine of almost EUR 30 million on Dutch telecom company KPN. KPN committed a violation in the government tender for fixed telephony services for (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority imposes fines for reduction of dealer fees for post-paid mobile telephone subscriptions and exchange of sensitive information (Ben Nederland / Dutchtone / KPN Mobile / O2 / Vodafone Libertel)

197

NMa Fines Mobile Telephone Operators EUR 88 Million* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has imposed fines totalling EUR 88,000,000 on Ben Nederland B.V., Dutchtone N.V., KPN Mobile N.V., O2 (Netherlands) B.V. and Vodafone Libertel N.V. NMa has established that these companies (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority imposes an obligation to offer advertising services and support in the area of transport and delivery at competitive prices to companies which wish to enter the regional daily newspaper market in Southeast Gelderland (Wegener Daily Newspapers)

93

NMa Sets Conditions for Wegener Daily Newspapers in Gelderland* Wegener may not increase the prices of the company’s daily newspapers in Gelderland more than in the rest of the country. The regional editions of De Gelderlander must be maintained and Wegener must support new entrants. The (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority has to decide what fines to impose on the bid rigging agreements on the market for asphalt construction (Heijmans / Solétanche)

105

NMa Will Also Conduct Intensive Investigations into the Construction Industry in 2003* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) will continue its intensive investigation into possible infringements of the Competition Act in the construction sector in 2003. NMa will continue to monitor the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority doesn’t approve protocol signed by of the private health insurers united in a professional association (Solidarity Protocol)

113

NMa Does Not Approve Health Insurers’ ’Solidarity Protocol’* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has not approved the so-called ’Solidarity Protocol’ of the private health insurers united in Zorgverzekeraars Nederland (ZN). According to NMa, these agreements restrain competition (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority imposes fines for refusal to co-operate with certain parts of the antitrust investigation on tenders for asphalting projects (Koninklijke Wegenbouw)

79

NMa Fines KWS for Refusal to Co-operate* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has imposed fines totalling EUR 27,000 (twenty-seven thousand euros) on Koninklijke Wegenbouw Stevin (KWS) due to its refusal to co-operate with certain parts of NMa’s investigation. KWS was fined because (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority draws up a report on four bicycle manufacturers due to a reasonable suspicion that they had entered into price agreements and exchanged sensitive competitive information (Gazelle / Accell / Giant / Union)

113

NMa Draws up a Report on Bicycle Manufacturers and Branch Organisations* Following an investigation, the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has drawn up a report on four bicycle manufacturers due to a reasonable suspicion that they had entered into price agreements and exchanged (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority intends to limit the exemption for the salvaging scheme for broken-down cars to motorways and provincial and municipal roads which fulfil an important role in the flow of traffic

54

NMa Not Satisfied with Implementation of Salvaging Scheme for Broken-Down Cars* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) intends to limit the exemption for the salvaging scheme for broken-down cars to motorways and provincial and municipal roads which fulfil an important role in the flow (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority draws up a report on four road construction companies in relation to a bid-rigging cartel on the asphalt construction market (Koninklijke Wegenbouw Stevin / Ballast Nedam Infra Noord Oost / Gruno Wegenbouw / Koop Tjuchem)

75

NMa Draws up Report on Road Construction Companies Due to Cartel Agreement* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has drawn up a report on four road construction companies. NMa has drawn up this report on the grounds of a reasonable suspicion that the Competition Act has been (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority decides that an in-depth investigation is necessary into the proposed takeover on the market for cable connections (Casema / Liberty Media)

103

NMa To Investigate Merger Liberty - Casema Further* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has decided that an in-depth investigation is necessary into the proposed takeover of Casema Holding B.V. by the American cable and media company, Liberty Media Corporation. At present, Liberty (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority draws up a report due to agreements that restrain competition in the area of the application of certain foundation techniques, including diaphragm walls, and carrying out certain categories of concrete civil engineering activities (Heijmans Beton- en Waterbouw / Solétanche Bachy)

108

NMa Suspects Heijmans and Solétanche of Cartel Agreements* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has drawn up a report on Heijmans Beton- en Waterbouw B.V. and Solétanche Bachy France S.A. due to agreements that restrain competition in the area of the application of certain foundation (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority approves takeover after the parties gave assurances with regard to the sale of their interests in several asphalt plants (HBG / BAM NBM)

57

NMa: BAM NBM and HBG Must Sell Their Interests in Asphalt Plants* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has approved the takeover of HBG by BAM NBM after the parties gave assurances with regard to the sale of their interests in several asphalt plants. The takeover will result in one of (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority conditionally approves plan for cost savings following consent granted for an acquisition on the market for daily newspapers (De Telegraaf)

78

NMa Approves De Telegraaf’s Plans for the Limburg Daily Newspapers* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has approved De Telegraaf’s plans for cost savings at Dagblad De Limburger and Limburgs Dagblad on condition that De Telegraaf complies with the decision taken by NMa at the time (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority concludes that the municipality of Amsterdam has not abused its dominant position in renting its land through long-term leases (Vereniging Eigen Huis)

99

NMa: No Abuse of Dominant Position by Municipality Amsterdam* Following a complaint made by Vereniging Eigen Huis (an association representing homeowners), NMa has concluded that the municipality of Amsterdam has not abused its dominant position in renting its land through long-term leases. (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority imposes fines on a procurement collective and a wholesaler of veterinary pharmaceuticals for setting in place a system of exclusion of certain veterinarians (AUV / Aesculaap)

103

NMa Fines Veterinary Cooperative for Cartel Agreements* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has imposed a fine of EUR 9.7 million on Coöperatieve Nederlandse Veterinair-Farmaceutische Groothandel A.U. (AUV) [Netherlands Veterinary Pharmaceutical Wholesale Cooperative A.U.] and a fine (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority determines that all five mobile telephone operators have a dominant position on their own mobile telephone networks with regard to the termination of calls (KPN Mobile / Vodafone / Dutchtone / Ben / O2)

168

NMa: Separate Market for Call Termination for Each Mobile Operator* All five mobile telephone operators in the Netherlands (KPN Mobile, Vodafone, Dutchtone, Ben en O2) have a dominant position on their own mobile telephone networks with regard to the termination of calls. A mobile telephone (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority draws up a report on the five mobile telephone operators, who entered into an agreement to reduce jointly and almost simultaneously the fee paid to dealers for selling telephone subscriptions (Vodafone / KPN Mobile / Dutchtone / Ben Nederland / O2)

145

NMa Draws up a Report on Mobile Telephone Operators* Following an investigation, the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has drawn up a report on the five mobile telephone operators due to an agreement entered into by Vodafone N.V., KPN Mobile N.V., Dutchtone N.V., Ben Nederland B.V. and (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority establishes that four new standard agreements between a beer producer and cafes and other businesses in the hospitality sector were not in conflict with the prohibition on cartels (Heineken)

86

NMa Approves Heineken’s New Beer Contracts* NMa has determined that the four new standard agreements which Heineken enters into with cafes and other businesses in the hospitality sector are not in conflict with the prohibition on cartels. These agreements, also referred to here as the beer (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority decides that the system of maximum discounts applied by a professional clothing supplier association contravenes competition law (Modint)

79

NMa Upholds Earlier Prohibition on Maximum Discounts in the Clothing Sector* The Nederland Competition Authority (NMa) has once again decided in a ruling on an administrative appeal that the system of maximum discounts applied by Vereniging Modint Ondernemersorganisatie voor mode en (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority finds that the larger oil companies keep the price of petrol, diesel and LPG artificially high through a system of agreements with independent filling station owners (Shell / BP / Esso / TotalFina / Texaco)

190

NMa: Oil Companies Keep Prices Artificially High through Agreements with Filling station Owners* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has established that the larger oil companies (Shell, BP, Esso, TotalFina and Texaco) keep the price of petrol, diesel and LPG artificially high (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority imposes fines on post service major companies for providing incomplete information regarding a proposed takeover (Correct Express Beheer)

118

NMa Issues Fines Due to Incorrect Notification of a Merger* The Director-General of the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has imposed the maximum fine of NLG 50,000 on both Deutsche Post International B.V. and Trans-o-flex Schnell-lieferdienst GmbH. These fines have been imposed (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Netherlands Competition Authority grants an exemption from the prohibition on cartels for three quality management systems proposed by a marketing board on the market for production and distribution of grain-fed and milk-fed veal and beef (Productschap voor Vee en Vlees)

64

NMa: Agreement on Integral Production Chain Management Schemes for Veal and Beef* The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has granted an exemption from the prohibition on cartels for three quality management systems of the Marketing Board for Poultry and Meat [Productschap voor Vee en (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority determines that an anti-peddling scheme applied in the painting branch contravenes the prohibition on cartels (Vereniging Belangen Behartiging Schildersbedrijf)

101

NMa Prohibits Anti-Peddling Scheme in the Painting Branch* Today the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) determined that the anti-peddling scheme applied in the painting branch contravenes the prohibition on cartels and is therefore prohibited. In November 1998 NMa indicated in a provisional (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority approves takeover on the market for procurement and slaughter of pigs and the further processing and sale of pork (Dumeco / SturkoMeat)

85

NMa Approves Takeover of SturkoMeat by Dumeco The Director-General of the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) today approved the takeover of SturkoMeat by Dumeco, the two largest pig abattoirs in the Netherlands. Due to the structure of this market, NMa sees no reason to assume that, as a (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority receives communication from a group of supermarkets that they will abstain from price coordination behaviour on the market for milk distribution (Albert Heijn / Laurus / Schuitema / Dirk van den Broek / Nettorama)

103

Supermarkets Withdraw Surcharge on Milk, NMa Decides against Order Subject to Penalty* Albert Heijn, Laurus, Schuitema, Dirk van den Broek and Nettorama have informed the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) that they will cease charging the surcharge of NLG 0.10 on milk that they introduced (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority finds price fixing and market sharing agreements engaged by the national association of general practitioners in breach of competition law (LHV)

110

NMa Prohibits Agreements on Tariffs and on the Setting up of Practices by General Practitioners* In its decision on the policy with regard to setting up practices of Landelijke Huisartsenvereniging (LHV) [National Association of General Practitioners] and the collective negotiations (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority suspects that a cooperative association to which 90% of veterinarians in the Netherlands are affiliated infringed competition law (Coöperatieve Nederlandse Veterinair-Farmaceutische Groothandel / Aesculaap)

177

NMA DRAWS UP A REPORT ON VETERINARY MEDICINE WHOLESALERS* After carrying out an investigation, the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) has reason to believe that Coöperatieve Nederlandse Veterinair-Farmaceutische Groothandel U.A. (in short, AUV) has contravened the Competition Act. Until the (...)

Dutch Competition Authority The Dutch Competition Authority decides as a result of a planned merger and after an initial investigation that a dominant position could emerge or be strengthened on the market for the sale of daily consumer goods through supermarkets as a result of a planned merger (Schuitema / Sperwer)

108

NMa to Investigate Further the Merger of Schuitema and Sperwer* The Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) today decided that a licence is required for the merger of the supermarket organisations Schuitema and Sperwer. After an initial investigation, NMa concluded provisionally that a position of (...)

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