Latvian Competition Authority

Court: parent companies may be responsible for competition infringements of subsidiary companies* On 17 May, the Supreme Court adopted the decision, pursuant to which it is stipulated in the competition law of Latvia that parent companies may bear joint responsibility for infringements of (...)

The CC publishes guidelines of the Leniency Programme* The Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) has developed guidelines of the Leniency Programme, which gives a possibility to companies involved in cartel agreements to report infringements to the CC. If a company submits and application for (...)

The CC warns the security sector about the high bid-rigging risk* In this year, the Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) has warned five security companies for alleged prohibited agreements in public procurements. To reduce bid-rigging risk in the future, the CC in cooperation with the (...)

The CC imposes a fine on SIA “ZAAO” for abuse of market power* On 21 March, the Competition Council of Latvia (the CC), imposed a fine of EUR 36 665 on the waste management company SIA “ZAAO”, owned by several municipalities, for abuse of dominant position. The CC detected, that the waste manager (...)

The CC detects bid-rigging among distributors of professional stage equipment* On 30 May, the Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) adopted a decision to impose a fine on nine companies, which had coordinated their activities within the framework of procurements of public and municipal (...)

The CC detects bid-rigging by four security companies* On 11 May, the Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) took a decision to impose a fine on four providers of security services – SIA “Bruks”, SIA RK “Nivios-LTD”, SIA “Puma” and SIA “Lat Jur Fin” – for lasting and systematic implementation of (...)

Anti-competitive agreement in municipal waste collection and transportation sector* On December 8, 2016 the Competition Council found that in 2015 UAB Ekoaplinka, UAB Ecoservice and UAB Marijampolės švara (hereinafter – Companies) concluded a collusive bidding agreement while participating in the (...)

Final conclusions of market study on reimbursable pharmaceuticals* On December 5, 2016 the Competition Council confirmed the final conclusions of the market study on reimbursable pharmaceuticals (hereinafter – Study) that revealed competition problems in the market, to which possible (...)

Competition council disclosed an anti-competitive agreement in public procurement* On December 5, 2016 the Competition Council found that in 2014 UAB Žagarės inžinerija and UAB Rovaltra (hereinafter – Companies) concluded a collusive bidding agreement while participating in the public procurement (...)

The CC finds Significant Competition Barriers in Waste-Management Sector* The Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) has identified a number of existing competition barriers created by both market structure and regulatory framework in the waste-management market in Latvia after commencing a (...)

The CC fines with EUR 1.6 million two Plasterboard Suppliers of Knauf Group* On 30 September, the Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) fined SIA Knauf and Norgips sp. z o. o. (Poland), a parent company of SIA Norgips that is also a part of a Knauf Group, for abusing their market power by (...)

The CC fines Medical Equipment Traders for collusive Behaviour in Public Procurements* On 8 September, the Competition Council (the CC) fined two medical equipment traders SIA OPTIKA&DENTIKA and SIA KJ SERVISS for participating in a cartel agreement in four public procurements. Due to the (...)

The Competition Council of Latvia Fines Three Companies for Collusive Bidding by Contractors* On 8 July 2016, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia has fined three companies – SIA CO Sistēmas, SIA SAN B, and SIA Talsu spriegums – for rigging a public tenders. Companies were found to coordinate (...)

The CC finds Unreasonably High Fees for the Entrance of a Bus Terminal* On 25 May, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia imposed a fine in the amount of 4026.53 EUR and legal obligation on SIA Rēzeknes autoosta, which is an operator of a regional bus terminal in Rēzekne. The CC found that the (...)

Saeima passes Amendments to the Competition Law* On 12 May, Latvian Parliament – Saeima – adopted in final reading amendments to the Competition Law that significantly modernizes competition protection in Latvia. Amendments to the Competition Law provides the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia (...)

The CC spots Unseized Opportunities to Reduce Prices of Medical Services* In the context of a sector inquiry into the market of medical services, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia identified gaps of sector regulation and governance that distort competition and hinder price reduction and (...)

The CC takes a close look at the dairy market* The Competition Council (CC) of Latvia has recently concluded market study and sector inquiry into the dairy market in Latvia. Both researches provided the CC with an in-depth insight into the price changes within all phases of the market, as well (...)

The CC points at Competition Restrictions within the Taxi Service Market* The Competition Council (CC) of Latvia repeatedly calls for the Riga City Council to ensure principles of the fair competition within its regulation of providing the taxi services in the Old Town of the capital of (...)

Priority for 2016: Equal Competition as both Private and Public Responsibility* According to the analysis of the results of last year’s work and to market topicalities in Latvia and worldwide, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia has set its priorities for 2016. Among other significant (...)

The CC through Advocacy timely prevents Anti-competitive Amendments to VAT Law* The Competition Council (CC) of Latvia through competition advocacy prevented anticompetitive amendments to Latvia’s Value Added Tax Law (VAT Law). Draft amendments were discriminatory to private companies - (...)

The Amount of Interchange Fee in Latvia reduces for 4 Million Euros after Banks Avert a Competition Law Infringement* The Competition Council (CC) of Latvia has concluded a sector inquiry into the market of payment cards. The main conclusion of the inquiry is that the amount of interchange fee (...)

The CC fines Undertakings for Bid Rigging in Medical Procurements* On 10 December, The Competition Council (CC) of Latvia fined two undertakings – SIA Optika un Diagnostika and SIA Arbor Medical Korporācija – for coordinating tenders in a total of six different procurements of medical equipment (...)

The CC fines Two Hardware Suppliers for Bid Rigging* On 16 December, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia took a decision to fine two hardwire suppliers SIA Expert Digital and SIA SIA Hannu Digital for a cartel agreement in a public procurement. The fine was set in a total amount of 11 573 (...)

The CC publishes Merger Notification Drafting Guidelines* The Competition Council (CC) of Latvia has developed Merger Notification Drafting Guidelines to improve the merger notification procedure, as well as for businesses to clear and ease the process of preparing the merger notification. (...)

The CC Clears Purchase of SIA Rīgas piensaimnieks* On 25 September, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia cleared Meridian Capital CIS Fund purchase of SIA Rīgas piensaimnieks. In the decision, the competition authority foresees that such merger will not to distort competition and will develop (...)

Competition Authority warns 15 Undertakings* In the first half of 2015, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia has issued warnings to 15 undertakings under suspicion of breach of the Competition Law. Most warnings have been issued to tenderers of public procurements, thus once again proving (...)

Court agrees with the Competition Authority to fine the National Gas Supplier* On 2 September, the Administrative Regional Court confirmed the Competition Council’s (CC) decision to impose the only natural gas supplier in Latvia – AS „Latvijas Gāze” – remedies to change the practice of debt (...)

Competition Authority fines 11 tenderers of logging procurement* On 14 July, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia took a decision to fine 11 undertakings for coordinating their tenders with one or several other tenderer in a public procurement of timber preparation. For such actions, the (...)

Funeral Service Industry Needs to be Reformed* The Competition Council (CC) of Latvia together with the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRCP) and the State Revenue Service (SRS) conclude that the market of funeral services lacks a regulatory framework, therefore the competition is distorted (...)

The Competition Council agrees to conclude an administrative contract with the Freeport of Riga Authority to immediately eliminate Distortion of the Competition in the Riga’s Port* On 12 June, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia signed an administrative contract with the Freeport of Riga (...)

The CC fines Fuel Dealers for Unnotified Merger* On 12 March, the Competition Council (CC) fined fuel dealers – SIA LUKoil Baltija R and SIA Akselss – for not submitting a merger notification timely. Both undertakings secretly operated as one undertaking since December, 2010, while a merger (...)

The CC Fines Dealers of Volkswagen for 7.6 Million Euros* On 15 December, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia imposed fines to official dealers and importer of Volkswagen cars in Latvia for taking part in a cartel. For at least five years undertakings systematically coordinated their (...)

Leniency notice to disclose a cartel scheme within public procurements* On 24 October, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia has found that two construction companies operated in a bid rigging. The investigation was carried out based on a Leniency notice submitted by one of the cartel (...)

Fine imposed to the National Association of Latvian Shipbrokers and Shipping Agents* On 8 September, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia fined the National Association of Latvian Shipbrokers and Shipping Agents (NALSA) for setting a minimal or fixed price for services of shipping agents. (...)

The Competition Council fines AS „KIA Auto”* On 7 August, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia took a decision to fine AS „KIA Auto” for restricting car owners to perform repairs and maintenance not covered by warranty at independent services and to install spare parts of other manufacturers (...)

The Competition Council fines Two Construction Project Developers* On 31 July, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia took a decision to fine two construction project developers – SIA „Sliežu transportbūve” and SIA „Komforta standarts” – for bid rigging. Both undertakings exchanged business data while (...)

The Competition Council Assessed an Influence of Franchise Agreements to the Competition into the Fuel Market* The Competition Council (CC) of Latvia concluded a sector inquiry into the market of fuel franchise agreements. The aim of the sector inquiry was to obtain the information on (...)

Low Price as main Criterion in choosing Television Operator* At the end March 2014, the conclusions of a survey on the rating, availability and substitutability of five specialised-content international television channels in Latvia have been published. This survey which was conducted by (...)

The Competition Council launches Inquiry into Supply of Information Systems to Public Authorities* The Competition Council (CC) started an inquiry into the supply of information systems to public authorities. The CC intends to examine whether competition restrictions in the related markets of (...)

The Competition Council concludes sector inquiry into the market of drugs of circulatory system* The Competition Council (CC) has concluded sector inquiry into the market of realization of circulatory systems’ drugs. Within it, the CC analysed the structure and trends of the market, evaluated (...)

The Competition Council sets to change the practice of debt collection of AS „Latvijas Gāze”* AS „Latvijas Gāze” as the only natural gas supplier in Latvia has abused its dominant position in the market by refusing to conclude natural gas vendor contracts with new clients before debts accumulated by (...)

The Competition Council fines operator of the national database of public transportation for abusing its dominant position* In the late 2013, the Competition Council (CC) of the Republic of Latvia took a decision to fine SIA "Transporta telemātikas sistēmas”, the operator of the national database (...)

Competition Council fines 26 construction companies for participation in a cartel* On June 17, the Competition Council (CC) took a decision to fine 26 construction companies for bid rigging altogether in more than 300 procurements of electro-construction works. The total fine was set at the (...)

The CC fines collective copyright management association for excessive pricing* On 2 April the Competition Council of Latvia (CC) adopted a decision to fine the collective copyright management association AKKA/LAA for abuse of dominant position. Royalty tariffs for music airplay in retail (...)

The Competition Council Fines Retail Chain for Abuse of its Market Power* On 14 December 2012, the Competition Council adopted a decision to fine AS Drogas which is the largest retail chain in the sector of health, beauty and household goods retail in Latvia. It was established that AS Drogas (...)

Binding Obligations set to Merger of Broadcasting Companies* On 11 May 2012 the Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision to approve proposed merger of MTG Broadcasting AB (MTG) and AS Latvijas Neatkarīgā Televīzija – owners of the two leading private TV channels with Latvian language content (...)

Binding Obligations set to Merger of Dairy Companies* On 28 April 2012 the Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision to approve proposed merger of dairies AS Rīgas piena kombināts and AS Valmieras piens. Thus, Thyrenos Holdings Ltd. that exercises indirect control over AS Rīgas piena kombināts (...)

Riga International Airport Fined for Abuse of Dominant Position* On 10 February 2012, the Competition Council (CC) took a decision establishing that Riga International Airport (Airport) had abused its dominant position by charging to the Irish airline Ryanair substantially lower prices for (...)

The CC Repeatedly Fines Riga Freeport Authority for Abuse of Dominant Position* On 29 April 2011 the Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision to fine Riga Freeport Authority for abuse of its dominant position, as the Authority restricted actions of a competitor – provider of tugboat services (...)

The CC Fines for Prohibited Agreement in Contracts between Anchor Tenant and Owner of Shopping Malls* On 8 April 2011 the Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision establishing the existence of a prohibited agreement between retail chain (Rimi group) and lessor of selling space in shopping (...)

Prohibited Agreement in Banking Sector* On 3 March 2011 the Competition Council (CC) decided that 22 Latvian commercial banks have infringed Article 11 Part 1.1 of the Competition Law by participating in the Multilateral agreement on the interchange fee for cash withdrawals at ATM, cash (...)

Existing Regulation impedes Price Competition in Medicine Market* On 1 February 2011, the Competition Council of Latvia (CC) published its conclusions of the Sector Inquiry into the pricing system in medicine market in Latvia. In its report, the CC draws attention to the existing problems in (...)

Retail Chain Fined for Overly Long Payment Period for the Delivered Products* On 13 January 2011 the Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision to fine one of the largest retail chains in Latvia MAXIMA Latvija Ltd. for abuse of dominant position in retail trade. It was established that this (...)

The Competition Council Fines Retail Chain for Imposition of Unfair Discounts on Milk Processing Company* On 30 November 2010 the Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision to fine one of the largest retail chains in Latvia RIMI Latvia Ltd. for abuse of dominant position in retail trade. It (...)

Merger in Telecommunication Market Approved Under Binding Conditions* On 13 November 2010 the Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision to approve the proposed merger of Baltkom group and Izzi group – the second and the third largest telecommunication companies in Latvia. While assessing the (...)

The CC Finds Distortion of Land Survey Market in Riga* The Competition Council of Latvia (CC) has summarized its conclusions about the land survey sector inquiry. Although no violations of the Competition Law were detected and the competition was found to be strong, the CC concluded that (...)

Binding Conditions Set on Merger of Meat Processing Companies* On 8 June 2010, the Latvian Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision permitting a merger between the leading meat processing companies in Latvia – JSC Rīgas Miesnieks and JSC Jelgavas gaļas kombināts. To ensure free choice for (...)

Binding Conditions Set on Merger of Meat Processing Companies* On 8 June 2010, the Latvian Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision permitting a merger between the leading meat processing companies in Latvia – JSC Rīgas Miesnieks and JSC Jelgavas gaļas kombināts. To ensure free choice for (...)

The Competition Council Discontinues Investigation on the Alleged Infringement By Cemex Ltd. in the Transport-Concrete Market* On 26 February 2010 the Competition Council adopted decision to discontinue the investigation on the alleged abuse of a dominant position by a producer of grey cement, (...)

The Competition Council Fines Two Kiosk Chains for Prohibited Agreement* On 16 December 2009 the Competition Council of Latvia adopted a decision establishing a prohibited agreement between two kiosk chains – Plus Punkts Ltd. and Narvesen Baltija Ltd./Preses apvienība Ltd. – and imposed fines in (...)

Court Upholds the Decision on Abuse of Dominant Position by Collective Copyright Management Association* With the decision of 11 December 2009 the Administrative Regional Court rejected a claim of the Collective Copyright Management Association AKKA/LAA against the 1 December 2008 decision of (...)

Competition Council detects Prohibited Concerted Practices among Distributors of Samsung Home Appliances* On 30 October 2009 the Latvian Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision in which it found that concerted practices among five distributors of Samsung appliances infringed Article 81 of (...)

The Senate Annuls Administrative Regional Court’s Unfavourable Judgement for the Competition Council in Construction Companies Cartel Case* On June 29, 2009 the Senator Collegium of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate of the Supreme Court annulled the unfavourable judgement of (...)

Fines and Legal Obligations Imposed on Distributors of TV Channel TV3* On 18 June 2009 Competition Council (CC) fined VIASAT AS (Estonia) and TV3 Latvia Ltd. for the abuse of dominant position in the market of distribution of television channel TV3 on the territory of Latvia. Both companies (...)

Binding Conditions Set on Merger of Alcohol Distribution Companies* On 18 June 2009, Latvian Competition Council (CC) adopted a decision permitting a merger between alcohol distribution companies „SPV Distributor" Ltd., „S.D.V." Ltd., „L.D.V." Ltd., „MONO M" Ltd. and „S.Alko" Ltd. (principal (...)

Amendments to the Competition Law* On 1 September 2009 entered into force Amendments to the Competition Law of the Republic of Latvia. Most substantial issue of the Amendments refer to the merger control. As from September 1 merger notifications have to be submitted not only by those market (...)

Fines and Legal Obligations Imposed on Distributors of TV Channel TV3* On 18 June 2009 Competition Council (CC) fined VIASAT AS (Estonia) and TV3 Latvia Ltd. for the abuse of dominant position in the market of distribution of television channel TV3 on the territory of Latvia. Both companies (...)

Computer Wholesaler Fined for Minimal Resale Price Fixing* On 14 May 2009 Competition Council of Latvia (CC) adopted a decision on establishing a prohibited agreement in activities of MOBILUX Ltd. by fixing minimal resale prices for the M-LUX computers it produces. CC imposed a fine on Mobilux (...)

Supreme Court Upholds the Decision on Abuse of Dominant Position by Telecommunication Company* With the decision of 5 May 2009 the Senator Collegium of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate of the Supreme Court has dismissed legal proceedings concerning the 17 July 2002 decision (...)

The Competition Council Comes to Agreement with SIA "Preses Serviss"* On 4 February 2009, after receiving of written pledge from the company SIA „Preses Serviss" ("Press Service" - PS) to fulfil its legal obligations preventing from negative impact on competition, caused by its illegal (...)

The Competition Council Imposes Penalty on AKKA/LAA for Abuse of Dominant Position* On 1 December 2008 the Competition Council of Latvia (CC) has adopted decision on Latvian collective copyright management association AKKA/LAA (“Copyright and Communication Consulting Agency/Latvian Authors (...)