Polish Competition Authority

Agora/Eurozet - judgment of the court of first instance* The President of UOKiK will appeal against the judgment of the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection (SOKiK) in the Agora-Eurozet concentration case. SOKiK reversed the decision prohibiting the transaction. The judgment relates to (...)

Bid rigging - two decisions of the President of UOKiK* Tomasz Chróstny, the President of UOKiK, issued two decisions on bid rigging, in which he imposed penalties totalling nearly PLN 330,000. Entrepreneurs tried to affect the outcome of procurement procedures for greenery maintenance in the (...)

Data exchange between pharmaceutical wholesalers - charges presented by the President of UOKiK* The exchange of information between pharmaceutical wholesalers may have restricted competition in the market and resulted in higher prices for consumers in pharmacies. Through specialised IT tools, (...)

Burda Media Polska-Edipresse Polska concentration approved by the President of UOKiK* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has granted Burda Media Polska permission to take control of Edipresse Polska. The proceedings and in-depth market investigation have shown that the transaction will not (...)

Obstructing a search - the President of UOKiK initiated proceedings on the imposition of a penalty* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny initiated proceedings concerning the imposition of a penalty on Dahua Technology Poland. The company’s actions might have obstructed the search conducted as part (...)

Truck dealer cartels - two decisions of the UOKiK President* UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny issued two decisions concerning agreements limiting competition between truck dealers. Purchasers of these vehicles have not had a free choice of dealer for many years and have paid inflated prices. Six (...)

Decisions of the President of UOKiK on Kaufland* Kaufland Polska Markety required suppliers to reduce the price of agricultural and food products after their sale, unfairly using its contractual advantage. Moreover, it misled consumers as to the country of origin of the vegetables. The (...)

BID-RIGGING? INVESTIGATION AND SEARCHES* Does the supply of hospital information systems violate the competition law? President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated an investigation into the matter, and UOKIK employees, with the consent of the court, have conducted searches at the premises (...)

UOKiK President orders SCA PR Polska (Intermarche) to pay debts towards suppliers* President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection Tomasz Chróstny obliged SCA PR Polska (Intermarche Group) to change practices that could constitute an unfair use of contractual advantage. As a (...)

Apple - the President of UOKiK initiates an investigation* Do the new rules of the Privacy Policy and Personal Data Processing Policy introduced by Apple for iOS devices violate competition law? President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated an investigation into the matter. When we use (...)

DECISION OF THE PRESIDENT OF UOKIK – OBLIGATION OF BENEFIT SYSTEMS* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny obliged Benefit Systems, the operator of Multisport cards, to introduce measures to increase the level of competition in the fitness industry. The Company is expected to take steps to foster (...)

Conditional consent of the President of UOKiK to the concentration in the pharmaceutical market* Tomasz Chróstny, the President of UOKiK, has given the consent for DOZ to take control over Euro-Apteka, Super Zdrowie and MLV18. The transaction may be completed subject to the sale of the pharmacy (...)

Bid rigging - three proceedings* The President of UOKiK initiated proceedings concerning bid rigging. Charges were brought against three entrepreneurs who may have influenced the results of public contract procedures concerning renovation and construction services. UOKiK has received (...)

Bid rigging - three proceedings* The President of UOKiK initiated proceedings concerning bid rigging. Charges were brought against three entrepreneurs who may have influenced the results of public contract procedures concerning renovation and construction services. UOKiK has received (...)

Who makes money on fruit and vegetable sales and how much?* UOKiK President has ordered yet another audit of fruit and vegetable prices. Trade Inspection (TI) personnel will check the prices of apples, blueberries, potatoes and cabbage at different levels of the trading chain. This will make (...)

UOKiK President grants conditional approval for consolidation* UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny has issued conditional approval for the acquisition of Betamed by Air Liquide. Both companies operate, among others, in medical service markets financed by the National Health Fund. The conditions (...)

Activities of UOKiK and the Trade Inspection in apple purchasing centres* The agricultural and food market is closely monitored by the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). The latest activities concern inspections at apple purchasing centres. The Trade (...)

Decision of the President of UOKiK - collusion on the dietary supplements market* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny issued a decision stating that the prices of Solgar brand dietary supplements were determined as a result of an arrangement aimed at limiting competition. This means that (...)

Kaufland withdraws application to take over E.Leclerc store in Kielce* Kaufland Polska Markety has withdrawn the application to be granted permission to take over the commercial space used by the hypermarket E.Leclerc in Kielce. Earlier, the President of UOKiK presented his objections to the (...)

Objections to the concentration of Lux Med - Lecznice Citomed* The President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has issued objections concerning takeover of Lecznice Citomed in Toruń by Lux Med. The transaction may lead to a restriction of competition on the local markets for private medical services and (...)

Objections to the concentration of Carrefour - Tesco* The President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has raised objections to the takeover by Carrefour Polska of the retail space of Tesco hypermarket in Bielany Wrocławskie. The transaction may lead to reduced competition in the local market. The (...)

Overpriced Kärcher equipment?* Have Kärcher products been overpriced for many years? President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection Tomasz Chróstny initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter, while Office employees conducted a search at the premises of Kärcher. The (...)

Objections to the Kaufland - E.Leclerc concentration* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has issued objections to the acquisition by Kaufland Polska Markety of the right to commercial space used by the E.Leclerc hypermarket in Kielce. The transaction may lead to reduced competition in the local (...)

President of UOKiK initiates proceedings against the owner of the Kaufland chain* The President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny initiated proceedings against Kaufland Polska Markety. The company may unfairly exploit its contractual advantage with respect to suppliers of agri-food products. The (...)

President of UOKiK initiates proceedings concerning the practices of Cefetra Polska* The President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny initiated proceedings against the Cefetra Polska company. The entrepreneur may be unfairly exploiting its contractual advantage. Of particular concern are contracts that (...)

Cellnex Poland with the authorisation of the President of UOKiK to take over Polkomtel Infrastruktura* President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection Tomasz Chróstny gave his consent for Cellnex Poland to take control over Polkomtel Infrastruktura. Entrepreneurs own the (...)

Collusion by Kia car dealers? Preliminary investigation and searches by UOKiK* Are Kia cars sold in breach of competition law? President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection Tomasz Chróstny initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter, Office employees conducted (...)

Merida bicycles - proceedings of the President of UOKiK* Does the sale of Merida bicycles in Poland violate the rules of competition? Tomasz Chróstny, the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has issued a statement against Merida Polska. As a result of the practices of (...)

TV packages - President of The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has initiated antitrust proceedings Tomasz Chróstny, President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, has initiated two antitrust proceedings against Telewizja Polsat and four companies belonging to the (...)

Collusion on office equipment market - decision of the President of UOKiK* Collusion on office equipment market - decision of the President of UOKiK Fellowes Poland for many years imposed minimum prices on distributors for resale of office equipment on the Internet. Tomasz Chróstny, President of (...)

The President of UOKiK brings charges of limiting competition against basketball clubs* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated antitrust proceedings against the Energa Basket Liga and sixteen basketball clubs. The subject matter of the proceedings is the establishment of principles of (...)

Iveco trucks - proceedings of the President of UOKiK* - The importer of Iveco trucks together with the official distributors of these vehicles may have entered into a multi-year conspiracy to restrain competition. - President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection Tomasz (...)

Superior bargaining power - proceedings of the President of UOKiK against PolishAgri* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny brought charges against PolishAgri, a company that buys and sells grain and rapeseed. The company may be unfairly abusing its superior bargaining power against suppliers. The (...)

Penalty for price fixing of Spokey sports equipment* For almost 8 years, Spokey company has been fixing minimum prices at which on-line stores could sell sports equipment of this brand, such as rollerblades or scooters. President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny imposed a penalty of half a million PLN (...)

Collusion between animal feed manufacturers - decision of the President of UOKiK* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny proclaimed market allocation by animal feed producers - collusion limited the freedom of product choice for farmers and sellers of milk replacers. Polmass company was charged (...)

The President of UOKiK has initiated proceedings against other retail chains suspected of applying unfair retrospective discounts* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny initiated investigation procedures towards Kaufland Polska Markety, Eurocash and SCA PR Polska (Intermarche). The objections (...)

Tender collusion - decision of the President of UOKiK* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny imposed a penalty in the amount of over PLN 375 thousand on two participants in a tender collusion. The entrepreneurs agreed that the more expensive bid from one of them would be awarded. The aggrieved (...)

Collusion on the fitness market - decision by the President of UOKiK* Tomasz Chróstny, the President of UOKiK, has imposed over PLN 32 million in financial penalties on the largest fitness chains, including Benefit Systems (operator of MultiSport cards) for a competition-restricting collusion (...)

Agora/Eurozet - prohibition of concentration* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has prohibited the acquisition of Eurozet by Agora. The concentration would have resulted in the development of a powerful radio group that would be able to limit competition on the market for radio advertising and (...)

The President of UOKiK has imposed a fine of PLN 723 million on Biedronka* The Jeronimo Martins company was earning unfairly to the detriment of food suppliers. This is the biggest sanction for abusing of superior bargaining power imposed to date. Commercial networks get various commercial (...)

Decision of the President of UOKiK concerning collusion on Warsaw heat market. First penalty for manager* Market allocation, as well as price and tender fixing resulting in higher heat prices in Warsaw. Nearly PLN 120 million in penalties have been imposed by Tomasz Chróstny, the President of (...)

Do pharmaceutical wholesalers increase drug prices by exchanging information?* Could unfair market practices, resulting in higher drug prices and restriction of competition, be facilitated by the IT systems used by pharmaceutical wholesalers? President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated (...)

Contractual advantage - proceedings of the President of UOKiK against SCA PR Polska (Intermarche Group)* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny brought charges against SCA PR Polska, a company responsible in the capital group for purchases in the Intermarche chain. The company is likely to abuse (...)

UOKiK notifies extension of aid programmes* On 13 November of this year UOKiK has notified the extension of the aid programmes to the European Union, the objective of which is to support Polish entrepreneurs in relation to the Covid-19 epidemic. The Authority expects the EC to issue its (...)

Agora/Eurozet concentration - reservations expressed by the President of UOKiK* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has informed the parties of their reservations about the transaction of Agora taking over Eurozet and indicated that such concentration may lead to the restriction of competition. (...)

Oxygen supply to hospitals - actions of the President of UOKiK* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated an investigation procedure today, under which he will inspect the market of oxygen supply to hospitals. UOKiK will check if there are no competition-restricting practices in place. (...)

Decision of the President of UOKiK on overpricing of Yamaha musical equpiment* For 13 years, Yamaha Music Europe has been setting minimum prices for resale of musical equipment in online stores in Poland with its distributors. President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny imposed a fine of half a million (...)

PLN 1.7 million penalty for Appol company for delayed payments to apple growers* The Appol company has been abusing its contractual advantage against apple suppliers by significantly delaying the payments for the completed deliveries of raw material for apple concentrate. President of UOKiK (...)

Marketing Communication Association SAR to change its practices* The Marketing Communication Association SAR affected the independence of its members in tenders and organized unauthorized exchange of information. President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has obliged the Association to change its (...)

Investment control - first decision of the President of UOKIK* H&F Fund from the Cayman Islands granted consent to take over the Center for Electronic Settlements Polish ePayments S.A. The transaction does not pose a threat to security, order or public health. This is the first decision of (...)

Unfounded Eurocash fees - charges of the President of UOKiK* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny checks the practices of Eurocash company towards suppliers of agricultural and food products. The allegations concern unfounded collection of additional fees. The main business of Eurocash is (...)

Nord Stream 2 - maximum penalties imposed by UOKiK President* Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK, has imposed a penalty of over PLN 29 bn on Gazprom, and of over PLN 234 mln on 5 remaining companies participating in the construction of the gas pipeline - as a result of the lack of approval for (...)

Concentration control - fines imposed by the President of UOKiK* Fines for concentration without the consent of the President of the Office and for failure to provide information during the proceedings - these are the latest decisions of the President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny regarding (...)

President of UOKiK will check practices of TV broadcasters* Does the sale of TV packages to operators, including cable networks, by broadcasters hinder competition? Do the broadcasters leverage their market position in the advertising market? This will be the subject of explanatory proceedings (...)

Bid rigging - decision of the president of UOKiK* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny imposed a fine of over PLN 13.5 million on six manufacturers of wooden railroad sleepers. The entrepreneurs entered into a bid rigging for the delivery of products for PKP PLK. The following entrepreneurs (...)

Two cases of bid rigging in the forestry?* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has instigated two anti-trust proceedings against companies operating in the field of forest management. Entrepreneurs submitting tenders for forest management services organized by one of Pomeranian forest (...)

President of UOKiK investigates retrospective discounts* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated explanatory proceedings to check whether the retail chains are not leveraging their contractual advantage over small and medium-sized enterprises supplying products to their stores through (...)

President of UOKiK will check practices of Allegro* What are the conditions of cooperation between Allegro and its users? President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has instigated an investigation procedure concerning the practices of Allegro to check whether there might have been any violations of (...)

Division of outdoor advertising market in Warsaw?* President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, has instigated investigation procedure with respect to activities of companies AMS and Ströer Polska on the outdoor advertising market in Warsaw. The aim of the procedure is to determine whether the companies (...)

President of UOKiK has imposed penalties of more than PLN 17 million for market division scheme* Producers of feed for breeding animals – Polmass and Ekoplon – have concluded competition-restricting agreements. They shared two markets, thus limiting customers in their free selection of products. (...)

President of UOKiK presses charges against Pfeifer&Langen* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated proceedings against Pfeifer & Langen Polska. The company may have been using its contractual advantage against farmers. The Office is also going to examine the practices of other (...)

Bid rigging - decision of the President of UOKiK* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has issued his decision in a bid rigging case. The companies transporting the pupils were illegally influencing the results of public procurements - if their proposals were the most advantageous, then the (...)

The President of UOKiK’s principles of imposing fines on managers* Managers responsible for concluding restrictive agreements are liable to a financial fine of up to PLN 2 million. On konkurencja.uokik.gov.pl we have published explanations on the principles for determining the amount of (...)

Have you suffered a loss due to anti-competitive practices? You may claim compensation* Individuals injured by anti-competitive practices may seek redress in the courts. President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny reminds that it is of no relevance to the case whether the decision on legal infringement (...)

Nord Stream 2 - President of UOKiK imposes penalty on Gazprom* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has imposed a penalty of PLN almost 213 mln on Gazprom for failure to cooperate in the investigation conducted in relation to the construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Such an obligation (...)

UOKiK’s further proceedings in the agri-food sector* UOKiK has completed its activities towards one hundred of the biggest players on the agri-food market, which were conducted under the Act on Contractual Advantage. In the course of the UOKiK’s proceedings, the majority of entrepreneurs (...)

CONDITIONAL CONSENT: MULTIKINO - CINEMA 3D* UOKiK gave consent to Multikino taking over Cinema 3D. The transaction may take place provided that the cinema of the acquired company will be sold in Galeria Morena in Gdańsk. The parties to the transaction are cinema operators. Multikino runs 32 (...)

Conditional approval for concentration: BP - Arge* The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) issued an approval for acquisition, by BP Europa, of control over Arge Paliwa and Arge Nieruchomości. The Transaction may become effective under the condition that the acquiring company (...)

Condition for Air Products&Chemicals* Air Products&Chemicals are allowed to take ACP Europe and Eurocylinder over, but under certain conditions. Thus, prices of carbonated beverages will not increase. This is the first conditional decision UOKiK has made this year. The President of (...)

Prohibited market allocation scheme in the passenger transport* Two undertakings allocated the local passenger transport market between themselves. The initiator of the agreement was PKS in Piła. A fine of more than PLN 95,000 was imposed on the company for the infringement of competition. The (...)

Dom Polska - decision of the UOKiK* The DOM Polska company has failed to provide information on a contemplated concentration scheme as requested by the President of UOKiK. The concentration scheme involved the takeover of control over LOB by ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems. The behaviour of the (...)

Concentration concern: PKPE Holding and Elester-PKP* > UOKiK has issued a competition concern regarding the takeover of Elester-PKP by PKPE Holding. > The concentration may result in a restriction of competition. > The concern is by no means determinative of the possible final ruling in this (...)

CONDITIONAL CONCENTRATION CLEARANCE: EUROCASH - PDA* The President of the Office of Competition and Customer Protection (UOKiK) gave his consent to a takeover of Polska Dystrybucja Alkoholi by Eurocash. The transaction may take place providing the purchase of a warehouse in Pabianice is (...)

PKP Cargo fined for limiting competition on the rail freight market* UOKiK found that PKP Cargo (Poland’s largest rail freight operator) abused its dominant position, resulting in limited competition on the rail freight market, fining the company 14,2 million PLN [3,3 million EUR] Poland’s (...)

Poland’s competition Authority concludes proceeding on wristwatch market collusion* The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) fines Swatch Group Polska and several retailers for entering into an illegal price setting agreement on a range of watch brands. Proceedings in the case (...)

UOKiK issues commitment decisions in unit-linked life insurance cases as part of wide investigation of consumer abuses in the sector* Three insurance companies – Polish units of Aviva, Allianz and Nationale Nederlanden – have committed to significantly reduce cancellation fees in existing (...)

PGNiG, Poland’s leading gas supplier, fined for failing to fully comply with a commitment decision* UOKiK has fined Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo (PGNiG), a leading Polish oil and gas company, EUR 2.45 mln for failing to comply with a part of the commitment decision it had accepted in (...)

Poland’s competition Authority appealed in case regarding agreement between mobile phone providers* Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) appealed a first instance court ruling which overturned UOKiK’s decision regarding an agreement between the four largest mobile (...)

Poland’s competition Authority completes analysis of retail pharmaceutical market* UOKiK completes its sector inquiry into the retail pharmaceutical market, including the scope of state intervention in business operations on the market. Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (...)

POLAND’S COMPETITION AUTHORITY OKAYS SALE OF BOSCH-FAGORMASTERCOOK* UOKiK has given BSH Hausgeräte its approval to purchase FagorMastercook, stating the acquisition will not significantly limit competiton on the market. Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has approved (...)

UOKiK clears PKP Cargo to take over advanced world transport* Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has cleared PKP Cargo, Polish railway freight transport operator, to take over rail freight services provider Advanced World Transport. The Authority’s analysis concluded (...)

Auchan to implement conditions, Proceed with merger* Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has approved two transactions that will allow Auchan Polska to implement the conditions required for it to proceed with its acquisition of the Real company. Both mergers involve (...)

The OCCP approves the formation of PGE EJ 1* The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (OCCP) has approved the formation of PGE EJ 1, a joint undertaking of the energy groups PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, Tauron, and Enea and of the mining group KGHM Polska Miedź to build Poland’s (...)