Dawn Raids

Foreword Competition Investigations & Dawn Raids: An overview of EU and national case law

For many months, competition inspections have been impossible and almost everywhere Authorities have seen a sharp decrease in leniency applications, calling for additional detection tools. The inability to perform dawn raids therefore was immediately seen as a threat to efficient competition enforcement. New techniques have been developed in order to investigate remotely as much as possible. IT investigation methodologies and tools have also been refined and Covid protocols have been adopted. Eventually, cases have also been listed for future investigative actions, and since inspections are possible again, many authorities are back within companies with still an impressive backlog of potential investigations. This is the right time for legal departments to consider updating existing response procedures to reflect the most recent developments and verifying that they are still efficient after months without occurrence of a raid and knowing many companies have completely changed the way work is organized during the pandemic.

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Mayer Brown (Paris)
France 98 contributions 121677 visits

General antitrust

 The UK Government announces the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill to introduce a wide range of reforms in the regulation of Big Tech
Ashurst (London)
Royaume-Uni 34 contributions 16825 visites
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Ashurst (London)
Royaume-Uni 8 contributions 3296 visites
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Ashurst (London)
Royaume-Uni 13 contributions 3942 visites
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On 25 April 2023, the UK Government introduced the draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the "Bill"). The date for the second reading is yet to be formally scheduled. In our first update, we provide a high level overview of the proposed reforms. Subsequent updates will focus (...)

The Fijian Competition Authority intensifies its efforts against businesses that sell LPG above the price cap
Fijian Competition & Consumer Commission - FCCC (Suva)
Fiji 12 contributions 881 visits
TRADERS FOUND BREACHING THE AUTHORIZED LPG PRICE * Following the latest release of the new fuel authorisation issued by Fijian Competition & Consumer Commission (FCCC), a total of 185 inspections were conducted on Saturday, 1 April 2023, in most parts of Fiji. During the inspections it (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority releases an information bulletin with a view to increasing its transparency
Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law (Ottawa)
49 contributions 21035 visites
Introduction Canada’s Competition Bureau (the Bureau), which assists the Commissioner of Competition (the Commissioner) in the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act (the Act), announced on 25 October 2022 the release of its Information Bulletin on Transparency (the Bulletin). (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority publishes an information bulletin on transparency during competition investigations
Canadian Competition Bureau (Gatineau)
Canada 76 contributions 10687 visites
Competition Bureau publishes a new Information Bulletin on Transparency* News release The Competition Bureau published its new Information Bulletin on Transparency, a resource that explains the approach the Bureau takes in communicating with different groups of people during its (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority shares a Draft Amendment to the key national competition legislation which would enable greater oversight of digital markets
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turquie 27 contributions 9534 visites
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turquie 12 contributions 1705 visites
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 12 contributions 2809 visits
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Introduction This blogpost will give an overview on the draft amendment (the “Draft Amendment”) to the Law No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition (the “Law No. 4054”). The key points of the Draft Amendment concern: Introducing definitions of core platform services into the Law No. 4054 (...)

The Belgian Parliament transposes the ECN+ Directive into the national legislation and introduces filing fees in concentration notifications
McDermott Will & Emery (Brussels)
Belgique 49 contributions 9470 visites
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Allen & Overy (Brussels)
Belgium 13 contributions 4733 visits
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Allen & Overy (Brussels)
Belgique 22 contributions 5176 visites
On March 7, 2022, changes to both the Belgian Code of Economic Law (CEL) as well as the Belgian Criminal Code (BCC) were published in the Belgian Official Gazette (Belgisch Staatsblad, Moniteur belge). The main changes include: Introducing a filing fee in notifications of concentrations (...)

The Cypriot Parliament enacts a new competition framework that enhances the Competition Authority’s regulatory powers and transposes the ECN+ Directive into national legislation
Antoniou McCollum & Co. (Nicosia)
Cyprus 1 contribution 303 visits
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Antoniou McCollum & Co. (Nicosia)
Cyprus 15 contributions 16870 visits
Cyprus has enacted a new competition framework, which introduces additional powers for the Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition (the CPC). The new legislation consolidates previous statutes regulating collusive conduct, abuses of dominance and abuses of relationships of (...)

The Polish Competition Authority launches inspections at apple purchasing centres to ensure that the prices of apples paid to fruit growers are set according to the law
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21820 visits
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 (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority publishes a draft of its report on the accelerated sector inquiry it conducted on the domestic brick market
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hongrie 93 contributions 19130 visites
Accelerated sector inquiry on the brick market: market concentration, significant differences in distibutors’ prices* The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has published the draft of its report on the accelerated sector inquiry it has conducted on the domestic market of ceramic masonry (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority gains new powers and introduces changes after the transposition of the ECN+ Directive
Linklaters (Brussels)
Belgium 3 contributions 1140 visits
March 2021 marks a new era for the Swedish Competition Authority (SCA - Konkurrensverket). Major amendments to competition legislation in the country have entered into force on March 1st, introducing changes that result in increased powers for the SCA. These new amendments come as fresh air, (...)

The German Parliament enters into force its 10th amendment to the Act against Restraints of Competition bringing significant adjustments regarding advancing digitalization, changes in merger control, as well as data access claims
Hogan Lovells (Munich)
Allemagne 65 contributions 25105 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Munich)
Germany 6 contributions 2171 visits
On January 19, 2021, the amendment of the German Act against Restraints of Competition ("ARC") has entered into force. In addition to the significant adjustments to the ARC regarding advancing digitalization, changes in merger control as well as data access claims, to pick out just a few of (...)

The German Parliament enacts a new Digitalization Act with statutory toolbox to tackle potential market power of digital giants with additional noteworthy changes to merger control, cooperations, compliance, and dawn raids
Latham & Watkins (Dusseldorf)
Germany 1 contribution 40 visits
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Latham & Watkins (Dusseldorf)
Germany 1 contribution 40 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2022 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. With its enactment of the new German Digitalization Act (“GWB10”) on January 19, 2021, Germany became one of the first countries to upgrade its statutory (...)

The German Parliament sees its 10th amendment to the Act against Restraints on Competition enter into force bringing about substantial changes to the national cartel enforcement regime
Herbert Smith Freehills (Düsseldorf)
Allemagne 22 contributions 5761 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Düsseldorf)
Germany 16 contributions 4383 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 44 contributions 17681 visites
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At the end of January 2021, the revised Act against Restraints on Competition ("ARC") entered into force. Most attention has focused on the new powers bestowed upon the Federal Cartel Office ("FCO") to investigate the likes of Google, Amazon and Facebook. However, the revised ARC also contains (...)

The Danish Government proposes a new competition act entailing several extensive and intrusive changes to the current one as part of implementing the ECN+ Directive
Bird & Bird (Copenhagen)
Denmark 9 contributions 3895 visits
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Bird & Bird (Copenhagen)
Danemark 36 contributions 8085 visites
As a part of the implementation of the ECN+ Directive, a new competition act has been proposed by the Danish Government. The proposed competition act entails several extensive and intrusive changes to the current competition act. Accordingly, companies should be aware that these amendments (...)

The Polish Competition Authority conducts sector inquiries on wholesalers and suppliers of medical gases in the pharmaceutical sector
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 154 contributions 52727 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 56 contributions 25469 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 56 contributions 24680 visites
The Polish competition authority, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection ( UOKiK ), has proven to be an energetic enforcer of the competition rules. Over the past few days, UOKiK found itself in the limelight because of two new distinct inquiries in the pharmaceutical sector that (...)

The Swedish Government strengthens the Competition Authority’s powers to impose fines for anti-competitive behaviour, conduct unannounced inspections, and the right to decide on fines for companies that refuse to participate in the Authority’s investigations
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Suède 69 contributions 9945 visites
Strengthened powers for the Swedish Competition Authority* The Swedish government has presented a bill with proposals that strengthen the powers of the Swedish Competition Authority in the area of competition. The proposals include decision-making powers to impose fines for (...)

The Georgian Parliament adopts amendments to its competition act
University of Oxford - Faculty of Law
United Kingdom 2 contributions 1441 visits
Upgrading Georgia’s Competition Legislation – New Obligations and Balancing Benefits for Market Players* Recently, after almost 15 months of discussions, the Parliament of Georgia adopted a comprehensive set of amendments to the Law on Competition (hereinafter – “LC”). Prepared within the (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority publishes guidelines on the examination of digital data during on-site inspections
Erdem & Erdem (Istanbul)
Turkey 1 contribution 124 visits
Introduction Article 15 of Law on the Protection of Competition numbered 4054 (“Law”) authorizes the Competition Authority (“Authority”) to conduct on-site inspections at the undertakings’ premises if deemed necessary in carrying out the duties assigned to it by the Law. Pursuant to the (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority investigates unauthorized merger operations and antitrust practices in the funeral insurance and funeral services sectors
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC investigates the possible execution of unauthorised mergers, as well as potential antitrust practices involving the funeral insurance and funeral services markets.* From 8 to 10 September, dawn raids were carried out at the headquarters of various companies active in the aboved (...)

Dawn raids: An overview of EU and national case law
Baker McKenzie (London)
United Kingdom 5 contributions 2588 visits
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Baker McKenzie (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 2568 visits
The power to conduct unannounced inspections of company premises (or even personal residences) - so called ’dawn raids’ - continues to be the most disruptive and intrusive of all the investigative tools at the disposal of an investigating competition authority. In addition, while this (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes guidance on its functions to explain the effects of Brexit on the application of competition law in the UK during and after the transition period
Baker Botts (Brussels)
Belgium 28 contributions 20203 visits
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University of Tilburg
Belgium 14 contributions 13656 visits
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Baker Botts (London)
United Kingdom 9 contributions 2468 visits
The EU and the UK have now both set out their negotiating mandates for the forthcoming trade negotiations. On 25 February 2020, the Council of the EU adopted a formal decision authorising the commencement of trade negotiations with the UK, together with a revised version of the European (...)

Anticompetitive practices

 The Romanian Competition Authority conducts dawn raids at the premises of 10 financial institutions as part of a new investigation into possible arrangements to limit consumers’ access to credit products and services for individuals (Credit Bureau / Romanian Association of Banks / Alpha Bank / CEC Bank...)
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 27940 visits
COMPETITION COUNCIL COMPLETES THE UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS IN THE BANKING SECTOR* The Competition Council has completed the unannounced inspections carried out at ten banks, as well as at the Credit Bureau and the Romanian Association of Banks. The banks inspected are: Alpha Bank Romania (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority carries out dawn raids at the premises of companies active in the market for baby products
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Unannounced inspections at the premises of undertakings active in markets for products for babies and toddlers* Today, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of undertakings active in markets for products for babies and (...)

The Brazilian Competition Authority carries out a dawn raid in conjunction with the Federal Police and Prosecution Services to investigate an alleged cartel in the car carrier market
Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) (Brasilia)
Brazil 65 contributions 18228 visits
CADE, Federal Police, and Prosecution Services carry out operation to examine alleged cartel in the car carrier market* The states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso complied with search and dawn raids The Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), the Federal Police of (...)

The Polish Competition Authority initiates a preliminary investigation in the agricultural products warehousing industry to determine whether the prices of crop siloes might have increased as a result of illegal practices (BIN / Michał P. Targoński)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
Siloes - preliminary investigation and searches* Has the increase of prices for siloes intended for storing crops following the announcement of aid scheme for farmers been the consequence of an illegal competition-restricting arrangement? President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, has initiated (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority fines the largest capital company in the country for obstruction of a dawn raid conducted by the Authority (Maxima LT)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 105 contributions 20207 visits
"MAXIMA LT" INTERFERED WITH THE COMPETITION COUNCIL’S INSPECTION OF THE COMPANY’S PREMISES* The Competition Council acknowledged that during the inspection carried out in the premises of "Maxima LT", the officials of the institution were not able to fulfil the requirements to review and (...)

The Hong Kong Competition Authority conducts a dawn raid at a public mortuary (New Territories Forensic Medicine Centre)
Hong Kong Competition Commission (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong 54 contributions 11381 visits
Competition Commission conducts surprise visit to New Territories (Shatin) Forensic Medicine Centre* The Competition Commission (Commission) conducted a surprise visit this morning (15 August 2023) to the New Territories (Shatin) Forensic Medicine Centre (the reprovisioned Fu Shan Public (...)

The Brazilian Competition Authority carries out a dawn raid against a cartel in the orthopaedic surgery market
Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) (Brasilia)
Brazil 65 contributions 18228 visits
CADE and Brazilian Prosecution Services carry out search and seizure against cartel in the orthopaedic surgery market* On 26 July 2023, investigators executed 24 search warrants in three states of the north-eastern region of Brazil On 26 July, the Administrative Council for Economic (...)

The Polish Competition Authority conducts a preliminary investigation on the possible collusion in the market for production and distribution of ambulances
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
Is there a collusive bidding for ambulances deliveries? Preliminary investigation and searches* Are ambulance deliveries to healthcare facilities made in breach of the competition law? President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, has opened a preliminary investigation into the case and the Authority’s (...)

The Italian Competition Authority opens an investigation on seven energy companies over an alleged agreement to restrict competition in the sale of transport fuel (Eni / Esso / Ip...)
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italy 69 contributions 18423 visits
I864 - ICA: investigation initiated vis-à-vis Eni, Esso, Ip, Iplom, Q8, Tamoil and Saras for alleged cartel in the motor fuels sector* According to the Authority, which received a report from a whistleblower, the companies may have coordinated to define the value of the ’bio component’ of (...)

The Danish Competition Authority finds an online marketplace for auto repair quotes guilty of entering into a price fixing agreement with auto repair shops (Autobutler)
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Denmark 131 contributions 35925 visits
The Danish Competition Council: Autobutler has infringed competition law* For several years Autobutler has violated competition law by entering into agreements regarding fixed prices with several hundred auto repair shops on its digital platform. The Danish Competition Council adopted a (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority carries out several dawn raids at the premises of relevant companies in the electricity sector for possible anti-competitive practices
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC carries out several dawn raids at the premises of relevant companies in the electricity sector for possible anti-competitive practices* The dawn raids took place in two rounds: between 24 and 28 April 2023 and between 19 and 23 June 2023. The CNMC is investigating possible practices (...)

The Hong Kong Competition Authority conducts another search for anti-competitive conduct regarding fish wholesale in Aberdeen (Aberdeen Fish Market)
Hong Kong Competition Commission (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong 54 contributions 11381 visits
Competition Commission conducts another search regarding fish wholesale case in Aberdeen and invites fishery industry to provide information* The Competition Commission (Commission) conducted another round of operation in its ongoing investigation codenamed “White Whale” on the morning of 20 (...)

The Polish Competition Authority conducts preliminary investigations into collusions in the market for selling farming machines
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
Preliminary investigations into collusions on selling farming machines* Have farming machines of most popular brands been sold in breach of the fair competition rules? President of the Polish Competition Authority (UOKiK or Authority) has instigated three preliminary investigations into this (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority investigates possible anti-competitive practices in the market for professional hairdressing products
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC investigates possible anti-competitive practices in the sector of professional hairdressing products* The alleged practices consist of imposing resale prices and other commercial conditions on the distributors in the sector. From 23 to 25 May, the CNMC carried out dawn raids at the (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority fines 3 butter producers €2.9M for obstructing a dawn raid which was carried out during the course of an investigation into price fixing (Albalact / Covalact / Dorna Lactate)
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 27940 visits
COMPETITION COUNCIL FINED ALBALACT, COVALACT AND DORNA LACTATE WITH 2.9 MILLION EUROS* The Competition Council sanctioned Albalact, Covalact and Dorna Lactate, part of the French group Lactalis, with fines amounting 14.335.002,70 lei (approx. 2.9 million euros) for refusing to provide access (...)

The French Competition Authority carries out unannounced inspections in the passenger rail transport, distribution of travel agency services and products, and digital mobility systems sectors following alleged anticompetitive practices
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 743 contributions 395460 visits
The General Rapporteur of the Autorité de la concurrence indicates that unannounced inspections were carried out in the passenger rail transport, travel agency services and products distribution, and digital mobility systems sectors* Following authorisation from a liberty and custody judge, (...)

The Austrian Competition Authority commences dawn raids in the market for the distribution of refrigeration and freezing equipment
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 63 contributions 7225 visits
Austrian Federal Competition Authority confirms dawn raid in the distribution of refrigeration and freezing equipment* The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) is carrying out a dawn raid in the distribution of refrigeration and freezing equipment. The undertaking is suspected of (...)

The EU Commission confirms unannounced inspections of some businesses in the fashion sector over concerns that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1338 contributions 2824260 visits
Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections in the fashion sector* On 18 April 2023, the European Commission has started unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the fashion industry in several Member States. In parallel, the Commission has sent out formal (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority investigates possible anticompetitive practices in the allocation of travel agency tenders
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC investigates possible anti-competitive practices in the allocation of travel agency tenders* These practices consist of agreements for the manipulation and allocation of tenders called by the General State Administration. On 28, 29, 30 and 31 March, the CNMC carried out dawn raids at (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority carries out a dawn raid at the premises of a company active in the collection, processing and sale of currant
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Dawn raids in the market for currant* Today, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of a company active in the collection, processing and sale of currant. The dawn raid was carried out in the context of the HCC’s ex officio (...)

The Austrian Competition Authority files an application to fine two companies engaged in energy submetering (Meßtechnik Gesellschaft / Meßtechnik FMB)
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 63 contributions 7225 visits
AFCA files application to fine two companies engaged in energy submetering* Following its investigations into submetering, the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) filed another application with the Cartel Court on 16 March 2023 to impose a fine on two additional companies for (...)

The Swiss Competition Authority investigates possible collusions in the fragrance market (Firmenich / Givaudan / International Flavors & Fragrances / Symrise)
Swiss Competition Commission (Bern)
Switzerland 3 contributions 238 visits
COMCO investigates possible collusions in the fragrance market* COMCO has indications that several undertakings active in the production of fragrances have violated cartel law. There are suspicions that these undertakings have coordinated their pricing policy, prohibited their competitors (...)

The EU Commission confirms it undertook dawn raids in the fragrance sector with assistance from the UK Competition Authority, US DoJ and the Swiss Competition Authority
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1338 contributions 2824260 visits
Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections in the fragrance sector* On 7 March 2023, the European Commission carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies and an association active in the fragrance industry in various Member States. In parallel, the Commission (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority carries out a dawn raid at the premises of a pharmaceutical company
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Dawn raids in the pharmaceuticals sector* SUBJECT: Dawn raids in the pharmaceuticals sector Today, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of a company active in the pharmaceuticals sector. The dawn raid was carried out in (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority carries out dawn raids on the premises of several market players in the market for food supplies in an effort to counter rising grocery prices
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 93 contributions 19130 visits
The actions against price increase of groceries continue, the GVH involved new product categories into its investigation* 9 February 2023, Budapest - The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) launched new accelerated sector inquiry with dawn raids as targeted measures to identify the (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal puts brakes on the extraterritorial investigation efforts into two automobile manufacturers due to no territorial connection to the UK (Volkswagen / BMW)
White & Case (Brussels)
Belgique 57 contributions 57408 visites
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White & Case (London)
United Kingdom 27 contributions 13411 visits
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White & Case (London)
United Kingdom 12 contributions 2829 visits
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On 8 February 2023, the CAT upheld claims by both BMW and Volkswagen confirming that the CMA cannot compel responses to information requests from companies with no territorial connection to the UK. CMA Investigation In March 2022, the CMA opened an investigation into suspected (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal finds in favour of two automobile manufacturer’s challenges against the extraterritorial application of the competition authority’s investigatory powers (Volkswagen / BMW)
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 44 contributions 8894 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 44 contributions 17681 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 638 visits
On 8 February 2023, the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) issued a joint judgment in two cases: BMW AG v CMA and R (on the application of VW AG) v CMA, relating to the territorial scope of the CMA’s information gathering powers under Section 26 of the Competition Act 1998 (CA98). The CAT (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal finds that the Competition Authority cannot compel responses to information requests from foreign parents with no UK connection (Volkswagen / BMW)
Clifford Chance (London)
United Kingdom 7 contributions 2628 visits
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Clifford Chance (London)
United Kingdom 1 contribution 496 visits
The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has ruled that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has no power to compel responses to information requests from foreign parent companies with no connection to the UK, other than their UK-based subsidiaries. Foreign foray frustrated In its (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority carries out dawn raids in the beer and alcoholic beverages sector
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Press Release - Dawn raids in the beer and alcoholic beverages sector* On 31 January 2023, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections in the beer and alcoholic beverages sector. The dawn raid was carried out in the context of the HCC’s (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority initiates disciplinary proceedings against 7 companies for alleged market allocation and bid rigging in the market for food distribution to schools, nursing homes and prisons (Asesores Llangón/ Frutícolas Ateca / Hermanos Vidal...)
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC initiates disciplinary proceedings against several food distribution companies* The CNMC is investigating the allocation of clients and the possible manipulation of tenders related to the supply of food to schools, nursing homes and prisons, among other communities. Madrid, 16 (...)

The Luxembourg Administrative Tribunal modifies and upturns the Competition Authority’s fine on a food supplier for resale price maintenance, and affirms the right of a leniency applicant to benefit from the principle of legitimate expectation (Bahlsen / Delhaize / Auchan)
Bonn & Schmitt (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 27 contributions 88225 visits
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Bonn & Schmitt (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 1 contribution 98 visits
Introduction On 6 January 2015, the Luxembourg Competition Authority (formerly the Competition Council, hereinafter “Authority”) opened an investigation against the food supplier Bahlsen on suspicion of aligning resale prices to consumers. After a search of the supplier’s headquarters on 15 (...)

The Polish Competition Authority fines a seller of security cameras and its distributors for resale price maintenance, price fixing, market sharing and obstructing an investigation (Dahua Technology)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
Dahua Technology Poland - suspicion of collusion with distributors and a fine for hindering the search* Did Dahua Technology Poland, one of the country’s largest manufacturers of electronic monitoring equipment, enter into price collusion and divide the market together with its distributors? (...)

The Hong Kong Competition Authority and police conduct a dawn raid of a fish market after receiving price fixing complaints
Hong Kong Competition Commission (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong 54 contributions 11381 visits
Competition Commission and Government departments conduct joint operation at Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market* The Competition Commission (Commission), together with the Hong Kong Police, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the (...)

The French Competition Authority General Rapporteur indicates that unannounced inspections have been carried out in the cow’s milk supply sector
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 743 contributions 395460 visits
The General Rapporteur of the Autorité de la concurrence indicates that unannounced inspections have been carried out in the cow’s milk supply sector* Following authorisation from the liberty and custody judge, the investigation services of the Autorité de la concurrence have raided (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority conducts dawn raids at the premises of undertakings active in the manufacturing, import and distribution of aluminium, PVC and iron processing machines
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Dawn raids at the premises of undertakings active in the manufacturing, import and distribution of aluminium, PVC and iron processing machines* Subject: Dawn raids at the premises of undertakings active in the manufacturing, import and distribution of aluminium, PVC and iron processing (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority cooperates with the Portuguese Competition Authority to investigate several wood chip suppliers over a potential information sharing cartel
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC and the Portuguese competition authority (AdC) investigate several wood chip suppliers.* Competing companies allegedly shared the market in Spain and Portugal and exchanged sensitive information. These practices are prohibited by Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority cooperates with their Spanish counterpart to conduct dawn raids as part of an investigation into a potential wood chip cartel
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 117 contributions 28880 visits
Portuguese and Spanish Competition Authorities conduct unannounced inspections* The Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC) and the Spanish CNMC carried out simultaneous unannounced inspections in Spanish territory, at an intermediary company active in the wood chip business. Both (...)

The Polish Competition Authority opens a bid rigging investigation into the production and distribution of gas meters
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
GAS METER DELIVERY TENDER COLLUSION? INVESTIGATION AND SEARCHES* Is the gas meter delivery to the national gas distribution system operator infringing competition law? The President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, opened an investigation into the case, and the Authority’s employees, after obtaining (...)

The French Competition Authority conducts dawn raids in the market for leather goods in the retail sector
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 743 contributions 395460 visits
Dawn raids in the leather goods retail sector* The General Rapporteur of the Autorité de la concurrence indicates that unannounced inspections have been carried out in the leather goods retail sector. Following authorisation from the liberty and custody judge, the investigation services of (...)

The Slovak Competition Authority conducts an unannounced inspection at an undertaking in the forestry sector
Slovak Competition Authority (Bratislava)
Slovakia 57 contributions 5576 visits
CARTELS: AMO SR conducted an unannounced inspection at an undertaking in forestry sector* An agreement restricting competition might have been concluded between undertakings in connection with participating and submitting bids in public procurement for landscaping. On 20 September 2022 the (...)

The Pakistani Competition Authority conducts a dawn raid at the premises of two glass manufacturers on the suspicion of their involvement in anticompetitive practices New
Competition Commission of Pakistan (Islamabad)
Pakistan 18 contributions 1881 visits
CCP CONDUCTS SEARCH & INSPECTION OF FLOAT GLASS MANUFACTURERS.* As part of an ongoing enquiry to investigate the prima facie violations of Sections 3 ‘Abuse of Dominance’ and Section 4 ‘Prohibited Agreement’ (Cartelization) of the Competition Act, 2010 in the glass industry, the (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority conducts unannounced inspections in companies active in the import and distribution of white goods
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Unannounced inspections in companies active in the import and distribution of white goods* Subject: Unannounced inspections of the Hellenic Competition Commission in companies active in the import and distribution of white goods Today, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) (...)

The Czech Competition Authority imposes maximum possible fines on three undertakings suspected of being involved in a cartel agreement for obstructing a dawn raid (Marc spol / Eurotubes / HK steel trading)
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
Czech Republic 47 contributions 6324 visits
The office imposed maximum possible fines for obstruction of a dawn raid* The Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as "the Office") has imposed the maximum possible fines on three undertakings suspected of being involved in a cartel agreement for obstructing a (...)

The Polish Competition Authority opens an investigation into whether antitrust laws were breached when distributors and producers of animal feed cooperated (Empire Brands)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
Animal feed market - actions of the President of UOKiK* Did dog and cat food producer Empire Brands break the antitrust law? Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK, launched a preliminary investigation in the case and the Office staff conducted a search at the company’s registered office. The (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority concludes an investigation of restrictive practices and price fixing in the sports equipment sector with settlement and fine (Olka / Marlin)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 168 contributions 81270 visits
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Günay & Erdoğan Attorneys at Law (Ankara)
5 contributions 837 visits
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 3 contributions 574 visits
Introduction In June 2022, the Turkish Competition Board delivered its final judgment and announced that the investigation against Olka Spor Malzemeleri Ticaret AŞ (Olka) and Marlin Spor Malzemeleri Ticaret AŞ (Marlin), two undertakings active in the sports equipment sector, had ended with a (...)

The EU Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the water infrastructure sector over alleged bid-rigging
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1338 contributions 2824260 visits
Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the water infrastructure sector over alleged bid-rigging* The European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections in a Member State at the premises of companies active in the construction of networks and treatment plants for (...)

The EU Commission launches an investigation into the fashion sector on the belief that there may be anticompetitive agreements between several companies
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1338 contributions 2824260 visits
Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the fashion sector* On 17 May the European Commission has started unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the fashion industry in several Member States. In parallel, the Commission has sent out formal (...)

The UK Competition Authority warns that cartels exploiting cost-of-living crisis will face action including possible dawn raids
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 387 contributions 95620 visits
Cartels exploiting cost-of-living crisis will face action, warns CMA* The CMA’s most senior enforcer has warned that anyone looking to exploit the cost-of-living crisis by forming cartels risk robust enforcement action, including possible dawn raids. In a speech today Michael Grenfell, (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority conducts investigation into possible cartel in the street-furniture and road-furniture market
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 207 contributions 35138 visits
ACM investigates possible cartel in street-furniture and road-furniture market* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is currently conducting an investigation into a possible cartel in the street-furniture and road-furniture market. As part of that investigation, ACM (...)

The Slovak Competition Authority conducts an unannounced inspection at an undertaking operating in the sector of selling and repairing robotized workplaces
Slovak Competition Authority (Bratislava)
Slovakia 57 contributions 5576 visits
CARTELS: AMO SR conducted an unannounced inspection at an undertaking operating in the sector of selling and repairing robotized workplaces* Undertakings in the given sector might have concluded an agreement restricting competition. The Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic, the (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority conducts unannounced inspections on companies active in catering services provision
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Unannounced inspections in companies active in catering services provision* Subject: Unannounced inspections of the Hellenic Competition Commission in companies active in catering services provision On 22/3/2022, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out (...)

The EU Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the automotive sector
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1338 contributions 2824260 visits
Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the automotive sector* On 15 March 2022, the European Commission has conducted unannounced inspections at the premises of companies and associations active in the automotive sector located in several Member States. In parallel, the (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority investigates several companies for the possible rigging of public tenders related to security and surveillance services
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC investigates several companies for the possible rigging of public tenders related to security and surveillance services* The possible agreements involving the rigging and allocation of tenders might have affected several public authorities. From March 1 to March 4, the CNMC carried (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority carries out unannounced inspections in the market for medical products following a tender process
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Hellenic Competition Commission carries out unannounced inspections* Subject: Hellenic Competition Commission carries out unannounced inspections Athens, March 10, 2022 - Today, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections (dawn raids) following recent (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority conducts unannounced inspection in the construction sector
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Unannounced inspections in the construction sector* The Hellenic Competition Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the construction sector in the context of the investigation under Article 11 of Law 3959/2011 (regulatory intervention in sectors of the economy) Athens, March 9, (...)

The Danish Competition Authority finds that an association of car dealers infringed Article 6 of the Competition Act and Article 101(1) TFEU by engaging in a collective boycott of a platform for advertisement and sale of cars (Danish Association for sale of Peugeot Cars)
Bird & Bird (Copenhagen)
Denmark 36 contributions 8085 visits
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Bird & Bird (Copenhagen)
Denmark 9 contributions 3895 visits
The Danish Competition Council (“the DCC”) has, in a recent decision, found that the Danish Association of Peugeot Dealers infringed Article 6 of the Danish Competition Act and Article 101(1) TFEU by engaging in a collective boycott of the Danish platform for advertisement and sale of cars, (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority launches investigation into the market for eyewear
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Unannounced inspections in the eyewear sector* Subject: Hellenic Competition Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the eyewear sector Athens, February 22, 2022 – Today, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections (dawn raids) at the premises of (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority conducts unannounced inspections in the cosmetics and personal care sector
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Unannounced inspections in the cosmetics and personal care sector* Athens, February 18, 2022 - The Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) has carried out unannounced inspections (dawn raids) at the premises of an undertaking active in the cosmetics and personal care sector. The unannounced (...)

The Polish Competition Authority initiates proceedings to fine a leading video surveillance product provider for concealing evidence during a dawn raid (Dahua Technology)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
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 (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority conducts unannounced inspections in the pasta product sector
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Hellenic Competition Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the pasta product sector* Athens, February 16, 2022 - Today, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections (dawn raids) at the premises of nine (9) undertakings active in the supply and (...)

The Austrian Competition Authority files an application to impose a fine on a submetering provider (ista Österreich)
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 63 contributions 7225 visits
AFCA files application to impose fine on submetering provider* In the course of its investigations into the submetering industry, the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) filed its first application with the Cartel Court on 8. February 2022 to fine one of the investigated companies, (...)

The Slovenian Administrative Court evaluates the evidence submitted in a leniency application following a finding of an anticompetitive infringement in the market for waste management (Surovina / Dinos / Salomon / Recikel)
Rojs, Peljhan, Prelesnik & partnerji (Ljubljana)
Slovenia 4 contributions 180 visits
By the decision No. 3062-5/2017 as of 30 December 2019 (“the Decision”), the Slovenian Competition Protection Agency (“the Agency”) established that undertakings Surovina, Dinos, Salomon and Recikel (collectively: “Undertakings”) had concluded an agreement having an object to prevent, restrict (...)

The Hong Kong Competition Authority and Police conduct dawn raid of property management firm suspected of anticompetitive conduct during tendering process
Hong Kong Competition Commission (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong 54 contributions 11381 visits
Competition Commission and Hong Kong Police conduct joint operation on maintenance project of an industrial building in Tuen Mun* The Competition Commission (Commission) and the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) of the Hong Kong Police today conducted a joint operation which involved a (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority conducts a dawn raid in the market for sunflower, cotton and maize seeds
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Dawn Raid of the Hellenic Competition Commission in the markets for sunflower, cotton and maize seeds* Subject: Dawn Raid of the Hellenic Competition Commission in the markets for sunflower, cotton and maize seeds and the markets for plant protection products On the 14th of December 2021, (...)

The Polish Competition Authority investigates potential bid-rigging and market sharing in the supply of IT systems to the healthcare sector (Asseco Poland / Comarch Healthcare / Bestprojects)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
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 (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority issues infringement decision and imposes fines following investigation of tender for the public infrastructure project in Crete -Gournes-Chersonisos motorway
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Decision No 755/2021 - Ex officio investigation in the tender for the public infrastructure project “Northern Road of Crete, Gournes – Chersonissos Part*” Subject: Decision following the ex-officio investigation in the tender for the public infrastructure project “Northern Road of Crete, (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority opens disciplinary proceedings against several companies for bid rigging in tenders for the supply, maintenance and upgrade of military equipment (Hernando Moreno / Casli / Inversiones Certin 5 / Grupo de Ingeniería / Reconstrucción y Recambios JPG / Star Defence Logistics & Engineering)
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC opens disciplinary proceedings against several companies for bid rigging relating to military equipment.* The competition authority investigates bid rigging and sharing agreements in tenders called in Spain for the supply, maintenance and upgrade of military equipment. In June and (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority opens disciplinary proceedings against several database marketing companies for customer-sharing and price-fixing agreements that could affect the marketing of business information products (Informa D&B / S.M.E / Compañía Española de Seguros de Crédito a la Exportación / Bureau Van Dijk Publicaciones Electrónicas / Moody’s Corporation)
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC opens disciplinary proceedings against several database marketing companies* It is investing potential customer-sharing and price-fixing (or discount) agreements relating to certain products. In June, the CNMC and the Autoridade da Concorrência (AdC) carried out on-site inspections (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority investigates potential anti-competitive practices in the waste treatment and recycling market
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
The CNMC is investigating potential anti-competitive practices in Spain’s waste treatment and recycling market* It is assessing whether anti-competitive practices and agreements related to Spain’s plastic and metal waste treatment and recycling market exist. Madrid, 21 December 2021.- The (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority investigates a possible cartel in the food processing sector
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 207 contributions 35138 visits
ACM investigates possible cartel in the food processing sector* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is carrying out an investigation into a possible cartel in the food processing sector. As part of that investigation, ACM recently conducted dawn raids at several (...)

The EU Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the defense sector
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1338 contributions 2824260 visits
Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the defence sector* On 23 November 2021, the European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections at the premises of a company active in the defence sector. The Commission has concerns that the inspected company may have (...)

The French Competition Authority indicates that unannounced inspections into anticompetitive practices have been carried out in the food retail sector
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 743 contributions 395460 visits
The General Rapporteur of the Autorité de la concurrence indicates that unannounced inspections have been carried out in the food retail sector* Following authorisation from the liberty and custody judge, the investigation services of the Autorité de la concurrence have raided yesterday the (...)

The EU Commissioner for Competition Vestager highlights the Commission’s fight against cartels during and after COVID-19, including reigniting dawn raids
Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 24 contributions 24227 visits
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 11 contributions 3718 visits
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 8 contributions 3040 visits
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On 22 October 2021, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager highlighted the Commission’s commitment to combating cartels during the COVID crisis and in its aftermath. During the pandemic, the Commission’s activity against cartels included decisions issued (...)

The EU Commission plans a series of dawn raids to investigate anticompetitive practices in labor markets
White & Case (Düsseldorf)
Germany 36 contributions 14392 visits
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White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 17 contributions 10836 visits
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White & Case (Washington)
United States 50 contributions 27770 visits
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No-poach agreements on the European Commission dawn raid radar* In a speech on 22 October 2021, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager revealed that the European Commission was planning a series of dawn raids for the months to come. She highlighted that the European Commission is not (...)

The EU Commission carries out unannounced inspections at the premises of multiple companies active in the wood pulp sector
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1338 contributions 2824260 visits
Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the wood pulp sector* On 12 October 2021, the European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections in locations in several Member States at the premises of companies active in the wood pulp sector. The Commission has (...)

The Russian Competition Authority and Federal Tax Service check prices in the construction materials markets and find a significant increase in financial indicators in several markets
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 55747 visits
FAS AND FEDERAL TAX SERVICE CHECK PRICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS MARKETS* Based on the results of joint work, a significant increase in financial indicators was revealed in a number of markets Due to the increase in prices for building materials in 2021 and a large number of incoming (...)

The Russian Competition Authority conducts anticartel inspections of the largest manufacturers of rebars (NLMK PJSC / Tulachermet-Steel / PMH Management)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 55747 visits
FAS Russia conducts anticartel inspections of the largest manufacturers of rebar* There are data at the regulation of the authority that may indicate signs of price collusion, the consequence of which may be the growth and maintenance of selling prices for rebar Earlier, the FAS Russia on (...)

The Brazilian Competition Authority recommends the conviction of cartel members in tenders of orthoses, prostheses, and medical devices (Biotronik Comercial Médica / Boston Scientific do Brasil / Medtronic Comercial / St. Jude Medical Brasil)
Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) (Brasilia)
Brazil 65 contributions 18228 visits
CADE’s Office of the General Superintendent recommends the conviction of cartel members in tenders of orthoses, prostheses, and medical devices* Together, the collusive firms controlled the entire market of implantable cardiac pacemakers used in heart disease treatments On 24 August, CADE’s (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority continues its series of investigations within the framework of its accelerated sector inquiry in the market for ceramic masonry elements
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 93 contributions 19130 visits
A series of on-site investigations by the GVH in the brick sector* 2 August 2021, Budapest – The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) is continuing its series of on-site investigations within the framework of its accelerated sector inquiry on the Hungarian market of ceramic masonry (...)

The Polish Competition Authority initiates a preliminary investigation into whether a manufacturer of cleaning products has been imposing minimum resale prices on distributors of professional cleaning equipment and systems on the Internet (Kärcher)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
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 (...)

The French Competition Authority fines several eyewear brands and manufacturers for imposing selling prices and restrictions on online sales (Luxottica / LVMH / Chanel / Logo)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 743 contributions 395460 visits
Several eyewear brands and manufacturers fined for imposing selling prices and restrictions on online sales* The Autorité fines several eyewear brands and manufacturers, including the leading global and European supplier, for imposing selling prices on opticians and prohibiting them from (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority suspects the existence of a cartel around the public procurement of a boat operation by the Budapest transport center (BKV)
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 93 contributions 19130 visits
The GVH suspects the existence of a cartel around the boat operation public procurement of the Centre for Budapest Transport (BKV)* 14 July 2021, Budapest – Due to the suspicion of a cartel, the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has initiated an investigation in connection with the (...)

The French Competition Authority indicates dawn raids have been carried out in the collection and use of pharmacy data sector
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 743 contributions 395460 visits
Dawn raids in the collection and use of pharmacy data sector* The General Rapporteur of the Autorité de la concurrence indicates that unannounced inspections have been carried out in the collection and use of pharmacy data sector. Following authorisation from the liberty and custody judge, (...)

The EU Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the manufacturing and distribution of garments sector
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1338 contributions 2824260 visits
Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the manufacturing and distribution of garments sector* On 22 June 2021, the European Commission has carried out unannounced inspections in Germany at the premises of a company active in the sector of manufacturing and distribution (...)

The Spanish and Portuguese Competition Authorities carry out simultaneous investigations into possible market-sharing arrangements in the supply of business information databases
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 138 contributions 30118 visits
CNMC and the Autoridad da Concorrência (AdC) carry out simultaneous investigations into possible anti-competitive practices in Spain and Portugal* The inspections concern companies that market subscriptions to databases with business information. Both authorities analyse possible (...)

The Polish Competition Authority initiates a preliminary investigation into an alleged anticompetitive agreement by a car manufacturer and its dealers (Kia)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 119 contributions 21821 visits
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 (...)

The Polish Competition Authority issues a decision imposing a fine on a CEO for obstructing a dawn raid it conducted against a gym operator (Platinium Wellness)
Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3006 visits
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Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3006 visits
In mid-May, the Polish Competition Authority (“UOKiK”) issued a decision imposing a fine on an individual for obstructing a dawn raid conducted by UOKiK officials. During the 2017 dawn raid, the CEO of Platinium Wellness sp. z o.o. - a gym operator (“the Company”), changed the email password (...)

The Cypriot Administrative Court annuls a decision that imposed a fine of €20.7M on petroleum companies (ExxonMobil / Hellenic Petroleum / Petrolina / Coral)
Trojan Economics (Nicosia)
Cyprus 11 contributions 2239 visits
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Stelios Americanos & Co (Nicosia)
Cyprus 2 contributions 649 visits
The joined cases were brought before the Administrative Court of Cyprus (hereinafter the “Court”) by ExxonMobil Cyprus Ltd, Hellenic Petroleum Cyprus Ltd, Petrolina (Holdings) Public Ltd and Coral Energy Products Cyprus Ltd (hereinafter the “petroleum companies”) against the Commission for the (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority opens an investigation into the production and marketing of poultry meat (Transavia / Ave Impex / Vis Agri)
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 27940 visits
The Competition Council has opened an investigation on the market of production and marketing of poultry meat* The Competition Council has launched an investigation aimed at a possible anti-competitive behaviour of some undertakings operating on the market of production and / or marketing (...)

The French Competition Authority fines the three main national manufacturers of industrial sandwiches sold under a private label for having defined a common strategy when responding to calls for tender launched by large and medium-sized retailers (Roland Monterrat / La Toque Angevine / Daunat)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Paris)
France 56 contributions 12582 visites
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Baudelin Avocat (Paris)
France 27 contributions 9538 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 44 contributions 17681 visits
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On 24 March 2021, the FCA fined the three main French manufacturers of industrial sandwiches sold under private label for having defined a common strategy when responding to calls for tender launched by large and medium-sized retailers. The FCA launched dawn raids at the premises of the (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority fines three cartels and five directors €3.7M for price fixing, bid rigging and exchanging information in the sale of smelting inputs (FISL / Grafitos / Toro / Candel / GME / Capex CGC)
Ashurst (Madrid)
Spain 14 contributions 2246 visits
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Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 8 contributions 1410 visits
The Spanish competition authority ("CNMC") has fined six companies and five directors participating in three cartels, breaching EU and Spanish antitrust rules by fixing prices and other commercial conditions, sharing customers and exchanging commercially sensitive information for almost 20 (...)

The Japanese FTC brings criminal accusations over bid-rigging against four wholesalers in the pharmaceutical sector (Alfresa / Mediceo / Suzuken / Toho)
White & Case (Tokyo)
Japan 21 contributions 3381 visits
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White & Case (Tokyo)
Japan 20 contributions 3287 visits
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White & Case (Tokyo)
Japan 21 contributions 3381 visits
On December 9, 2020, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (“JFTC”) brought criminal accusations with regard to bid-rigging involving pharmaceutical products ordered by the Japan Community Healthcare Organization (“JCHO”). Three pharmaceutical wholesalers and seven individuals were indicted. (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority finalizes its investigation conducted against six undertakings regarding price increases in the fertilizer industry, and provides a thorough analysis of the sector dynamics and the relevant market (Bagfaş / Ege / Gemlik / Gubretas / Igsas / Toros)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 168 contributions 81272 visits
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Metro (Dusseldorf)
Germany 2 contributions 342 visits
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 2 contributions 382 visits
At the end of 2020, the Turkish Competition Board (“Board”) finalized its assessment on the investigation regarding the price increases in the fertilizer industry, conducted against six undertakings active in the fertilizer manufacturing market in Turkey to determine whether the relevant (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority investigates alleged anticompetitive horizontal agreements and exclusionary practices in the provision of banking and payment services
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Communication on the progress of the HCC’s investigation in the banking sector* In November 2019, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) conducted dawn raids, acting ex officio and following relevant complaints, at the premises of undertakings and their associations active in the banking (...)

The Polish Competition Authority conducts dawn raids and initiates explanatory proceedings against four pharmaceutical wholesalers over allegations of exchange of information and price fixing (Neuca Spółka Akcyjna / Przedsiębiorstwo Dystrybucji Farmaceutycznej Slawex / Farmacol Serwis / Farmacol Logistyka)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Pologne 119 contributions 21821 visites
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 (...)

The Norwegian Competition Authority carries out unannounced inspections in the sea freight market
Norwegian Competition Authority (Bergen)
Norvège 32 contributions 3948 visites
Inspections in the market for sea freight* The Norwegian Competition Authority has carried out unannounced inspections in the market for sea freight. – The Competition Authority has concerns that companies in the market for sea freight may have exchanged competitively sensitive (...)

The Irish Competition Authority carries out unannounced inspections of garages and second-hand car dealerships in Dublin and Kildare
Irish Competition Authority (Dublin)
Ireland 103 contributions 16168 visits
Unannounced car inspections take place in Dublin and Kildare* The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), assisted by colleagues from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, the Garda Stolen Vehicle Investigation Unit as well as local uniformed Gardaí, has completed a series (...)

The EU General Court partially annuls the Commission’s decision authorizing unannounced dawn raids to be carried out at the headquarters of two French food retail chains (Casino, Guichard-Perrachon / Achats Marchandises Casino) (Intermarché Casino Achats) (Les Mousquetaires / ITM Entreprises)
Dechert (Paris)
France 47 contributions 68860 visits
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Magenta (Paris)
France 1 contribution 254 visits
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Dechert (Paris)
France 20 contributions 22039 visits
In three recent judgments issued on 5 October 2020, the General Court of the European Union ("GCEU") partially annulled the European Commission’s ("Commission") decisions of February 2017 which had authorized onsite unannounced inspections ("dawn raid”) to be carried out at the headquarters of (...)

The EU General Court partially annuls the decisions of the Commission to order dawn raids on a number of French retailers (Casino, Guichard-Perrachon / Achats Marchandises Casino) (Intermarché Casino Achats) (Les Mousquetaires / ITM Entreprises)
White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 35 contributions 13147 visits
Partial annulment of European Commission decisions to order dawn raid inspections* On 5 October 2020, the General Court of the European Union (GC) partially annulled decisions of the European Commission (EC) to order on-the-spot inspections (dawn raids) of a number of French retailers.. (...)

The EU General Court partially annuls the Commission’s decision ordering inspections at French food retail chains headquarters (Casino, Guichard-Perrachon / Achats Marchandises Casino) (Intermarché Casino Achats) (Les Mousquetaires / ITM Entreprises)
Addleshaw Goddard (Paris)
France 39 contributions 44104 visites
On 5 October 2020, the EU General Court ("GC") partially annulled European Commission ("Commission") decisions ordering inspections at ITM and Casino’s premises in 2017 following suspicions of illegal anticompetitive exchanges of competitively sensitive information. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - (...)

The EU General Court annuls partially the Commission’s decision ordering dawn raids on the premises of French supermarkets and their joint purchasing alliance (Casino, Guichard-Perrachon / Achats Marchandises Casino) (Intermarché Casino Achats) (Les Mousquetaires / ITM Entreprises)
Portolano Cavallo (Milan)
Italie 63 contributions 9841 visites
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Portolano Cavallo (Milan)
Italy 36 contributions 6821 visits
On October 5, 2020, the General Court of the European Union partially annulled decisions of the European Commission ordering dawn raids on the premises of French supermarkets Casino and Intermarché and their joint purchasing alliance INCA Auchats (see cases T-249/17, T-254/17 and T-255/17). (...)

The EU General Court partially annuls decisions ordering dawn raids at the headquarters of two French food retail chains (Casino, Guichard-Perrachon / Achats Marchandises Casino) (Intermarché Casino Achats) (Les Mousquetaires / ITM Entreprises)
Covington & Burling (Brussels)
Belgique 49 contributions 17715 visites
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Gide Loyrette Nouel (Paris)
France 1 contribution 191 visits
In three related judgments of October 5, 2020 (T-249/17, T-254/17 and T-255/17) the General Court (the “GC”) partially annulled European Commission inspection decisions which were the basis for dawn raids on several French retailers. The judgments further develop the position adopted in Czech (...)

The EU General Court partially annuls the Commission’s inspection decisions ordering several French undertakings active in the distribution sector to submit to dawn-raid inspections (Casino, Guichard-Perrachon / Achats Marchandises Casino) (Intermarché Casino Achats) (Les Mousquetaires / ITM Entreprises)
Bird & Bird (Rome)
Italy 19 contributions 4096 visits
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Luiss Guido Carli University (Rome)
Italy 27 contributions 5464 visits
In October 2020, the General Court of the European Union (GC) issued an important decision in the joined Casino cases which promises to ensure that competition investigations will be more robust and afford greater protection to companies‘ rights. Both the European Commission (EC) and companies (...)

The EU Court of Justice rejects power cables appeal on dawn raid powers and successor liability, and fines the company €104.6M for taking part in an international cartel (Prysmian)
Ashurst (London)
Royaume-Uni 18 contributions 6224 visites
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Ashurst (Brussels)
Belgique 45 contributions 45899 visites
On 24 September 2020, the European Court of Justice ("ECJ") fully dismissed an appeal brought by Prysmian, therefore upholding the European Commission’s ("Commission") decision to fine Prysmian EUR 104.6 million for taking part in an international Power Cable cartel. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - (...)

The EU Court of Justice dismisses a manufacturing company’s appeal against a fine imposed for the power cable cartel (Prysmian)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 386 contributions 92692 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 28 contributions 5363 visits
On 24 September 2020, the Court of Justice (“ECJ”) rejected the Italian power-cable manufacturer Prysmi- an’s appeal against the € 104.6 million fine imposed on it by the Commission in 2014 for its involvement in the Power Cables cartel case. The ECJ upheld the earlier ruling by the General (...)

The Serbian Competition Authority launches dawn raids and proceedings against undertakings on the consumer electronics market (Roaming Electronics / Tehnomanija / Comtrade Distribution)
Serbian Commission for Protection of Competition (Belgrade)
Serbia 3 contributions 310 visits
Commission Instituted Proceedings Against Undertakings on the Consumer Electronics Market* The Commission for Protection of Competition instituted ex officio proceedings to investigate infringements of competition, and carried out dawn raids at business premises of companies Roaming (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority carries out dawn raids on undertakings and conglomerates active in the ferry connections sector
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Dawn raids in the ferry boat connections sector* The Hellenic Competition Commission, as part of its work in sensitive sectors of the economy, carried out dawn raids on undertakings and conglomerates which are active in the ferry boat connections sector. The unannounced inspections, which (...)

The EU Court of Justice upholds the Commission’s right to continue inspection at Brussels premises in Power Cable cartel case (Nexans)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 386 contributions 92692 visites
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Linklaters (London)
Royaume-Uni 34 contributions 3102 visites
On 16 July 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (the “ECJ”) delivered a judgment dismissing the appeal by Nexans France and its parent company Nexans (together “Nexans”) against the judgment of the General Court of the European Union (the “GC”) in the Power Cables cartel case. By (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules on dawn raids, in particular on storing of data without prior selection, which is then examined in the offices of the Commission (Nexans)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 170 contributions 46230 visites
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Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 61 contributions 3951 visites
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Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 65 contributions 22032 visites
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The CJEU ruled on the European Commission’s powers of inspections in cartel proceedings, in particular, regarding the power to copy data without a prior examination. On 2009, the Commission’s inspectors, accompanied by representatives of the French competition authority, visited the premises (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority fines financial institutions for not responding to information requests (Citibank / Goldman Sachs / ING Bank / JPMorgan / Türkiye Garanti Bankası)
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 12 contributions 4226 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 9 contributions 1843 visits
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Esin (Istanbul)
Turkey 3 contributions 748 visits
No Excuses to Not Responding to Information Requests: Financial Institutions Case in Turkey* The issuance of requests for information (“RFIs”) within the scope of an investigation or a merger control case can be deemed one of the main tools that enables, on the one hand, a competition (...)

The Paris Court of Appeal confirms the Competition Authority’s decision to fine an IT undertaking for obstructing a competition investigation (Akka)
Total Energies (Paris)
France 30 contributions 7487 visites
On 26 May 2020, the Paris Court of appeal ("Court") confirmed the fine imposed by the French Competition Authority ("FCA") on an undertaking for having obstructed a competition investigation. On 22 May 2019, the FCA adopted its first decision sanctioning a company for having obstructed a (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority proposes a total fine of €47M to consulting companies for participating in a bid rigging cartel (Deloitte / PWC / KPMG)
Bird & Bird (Madrid)
Spain 29 contributions 4687 visits
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Ecija & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 20 contributions 2167 visits
In February 2019, the Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) opened formal proceedings against 25 consulting companies and 8 of their executives for allegedly manipulating and allocating public tenders in the consulting services market between 2009 and 2018. This case was initiated in the wake (...)

The Spanish Supreme Court dismisses an appeal in connection with dawn raids carried out by the Competition Authority in the manufacturing sector (Prysmian)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 170 contributions 46230 visites
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Latham & Watkins (Brussels)
Belgium 24 contributions 3223 visits
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Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 65 contributions 22032 visites
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The Supreme Court Order focuses on the guarantees that must govern the CNMC’s inspection activities in the exercise of its powers and, in particular, in relation to legal assistance for companies subject to inspection. In particular, the appeal is brought by Prysmian Spain, S.A (Prysmian) (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority fines a beverage company for obstruction of an on-site inspection at the company’s premises (Coca-Cola)
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
The Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) imposes a fine on COCA COLA TRIA EPSILON for obstructing an on-site inspection in the context of an investigation by the HCC in the non-alcoholic beverage market* By its Decision No. 688/2019, adopted on 24.07.2019, the Hellenic Competition (...)

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)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 207 contributions 35139 visits
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 (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority opens antitrust proceedings against seven firms for suspected price coordination in the real estate intermediation market (Anaconda / Idealista / Inmovilla / Look & Find / MLS / Remax / Witei)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 170 contributions 46230 visites
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Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 65 contributions 22032 visites
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Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 61 contributions 3951 visites
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Following dawn raids in November 2019, the CNMC has opened proceedings against seven firms (CDC Franquiciadora Inmobiliaria, S.A.; Look & Find primera red inmobliaria, S.A.; Aplicaciones Inmovilla, S.L.; Idealista, S.A.; Witei Solutions, S.L.; Anaconda Services and Real Estate (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines a musical instrument manufacturer £4.5M for engaging in online resale price maintenance (Fender Europe)
ADNOC Group (Abu Dhabi)
Royaume-Uni 29 contributions 5384 visites
On 22 January 2020, the Competition and Markets Authority (the "CMA") fined Fender Musical Instruments Europe Limited ("Fender Europe") GBP 4.5 million for engaging in illegal resale price maintenance ("RPM") in relation to the online sale of its guitars. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - KEY TAKEWAYS (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines a guitar seller £4.5M for resale price maintenance (Fender Europe)
London Legends FC
4 contributions 642 visits
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Bird & Bird (London)
United Kingdom 28 contributions 3414 visits
After conducting a full investigation in April 2018, the CMA on 22 January 2020, fined Fender Musical Instruments Europe Limited (Fender Europe), an international seller of guitar instruments, £4,521,185 (the largest fine imposed in the UK for resale price maintenance) for its infringement of (...)

The UK Competition Authority imposes a record £4.5M fine on a guitar maker for engaging in online retail price maintenance (Fender Europe)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 173 contributions 56726 visites
On 22 January 2020, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (the “CMA”) fined guitar maker Fender Musical Instruments Europe Limited and its US parent company, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, (“Fender”) £ 4.5 million (approximately € 5.4 million) for infringing Article 101 Treaty on (...)

The German Competition Authority imposes fines totalling €154.6M on pesticide suppliers for agreeing on price lists, rebates and retail prices (Agravis / Agro Agrargroßhandel / BayWa / BSL Betriebsmittel Service Logistik / Getreide / Raiffeisen Waren / ZG Raiffeisen)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 173 contributions 56726 visites
On 13 January 2020, the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) imposed fines totalling € 154.6 million on seven undertakings for agreeing on price lists, rebates and retail prices for plant protection products between 1998 and 2015. Fines were also imposed on employees implicated in the infringing (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority decides that the labour market is subject to competition law enforcement
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 27 contributions 9534 visits
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 9 contributions 3012 visits
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Esin (Istanbul)
Turkey 3 contributions 748 visits
Turkish Competition Authority Reiterates: Labor Market is Subject to Competition Law Enforcement* Anti-competitive practices in the labor markets have generally not been on the radar of the competition watchdogs. Given the increase in the number of cases dealing with the labor markets within (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The EU Commission carries out unannounced inspections at the premises of a company active in the market for cardiovascular applications New
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1338 contributions 2824359 visites
Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the medical devices sector* The European Commission is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of a company active in medical devices for cardiovascular applications. The Commission has concerns that the inspected (...)

The Italian Competition Authority opens an investigation into a possible abuse of dominant position by a multinational engineering and technology company in the European market for electric bicycles drive systems (Bosch) New
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italy 69 contributions 18423 visits
A567 - ICA: investigation opened into alleged abuse of dominant position by Bosch* According to the Competition Authority, the company did not allow electrical and digital interoperability between its drive systems and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) for electric bicycles produced by (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority launches an investigation into a possible infringement of the competition rules by a multinational video game and digital entertainment company and its subsidiaries (Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 27940 visits
THE ROMANIAN COMPETITION COUNCIL IS INVESTIGATING THE MARKET FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF PLAYSTATION COMPATIBLE VIDEO GAMES* The Romanian Competition Council has started an investigation regarding the potential infringement of competition rules by Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Limited (...)

The Swiss Competition Authority initiates an investigation to asses possible collusions in the fragrance market (Firmenich International / Givaudan / International Flavors & Fragrances / Symrise)
Swiss Competition Commission (Bern)
Switzerland 3 contributions 238 visits
COMCO investigates possible collusions in the fragrance market* Berne, 08.03.2023 – The Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) has opened an investigation in the fragrance sector. There are suspicions that producers have colluded. COMCO has indications that several undertakings active in the (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority formally initiates antitrust proceeding against the manager of the Integrated Management System for plastic packaging over concerns that the tendering process lacked transparency and integrity (Ecoembalajes España)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 170 contributions 46230 visites
On 5 October 2022, the CNMC has initiated antitrust proceedings against Ecoembalajes España, S.A. (Ecoembes), a non-profit organization acting as manager of the Integrated Management System for plastic packaging in Spain. The investigation has taken place as a result of a complaint filed by (...)

The Swiss Competition Authority carries out a dawn raid which causes a pharmaceutical company to drop IP infringement court actions against a competitor (Novartis / Lily)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 29 contributions 5282 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 56 contributions 25469 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 154 contributions 52727 visites
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As we have previously reported (Van Bael & Bellis Life Sciences News and Insights, 15 September 2022), on 13 September 2022, the Swiss Competition Authority carried out an inspection at the premises of Novartis Pharma AG ( Novartis ). In parallel, Novartis received a request for (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority carries out an unannounced inspection into the transport industry
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 127 contributions 17288 visits
Unannounced inspection by the HCC in the transport industry* On 2/6/2022, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out an unannounced inspection at the premises of an undertaking active in the transport sector, in the context of investigating a possible abuse of (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority imposes a fine of €271,385.11 on a pasteurized cow milk company for abuse of dominance through excessive pricing (Charalambides-Christis)
Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia)
Cyprus 64 contributions 8466 visits
The Commission for the Protection of Competition imposed a fine on Charalambides-Christis Ltd amounting to €271,385.11 for infringements of article 6(1)(a) of the Protection of Competition Laws and corresponding article 102(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union* The (...)

The Polish Competition Authority fines a German supermarket for forcing suppliers to accept unfavourable contract terms, applying unfair retrospective discounts and mislabelling products to suggest domestic production (Kaufland Polska Markety)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Pologne 119 contributions 21821 visites
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 (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority investigates alleged abuse of dominance on the market for technical approvals of locations (Orange / RCS&RDS)
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 27940 visits
The Competition council investigates both Orange SI RCS & RDS for abuse of dominant position* The Competition Council has opened two investigations aimed at a possible abusive behaviour of both undertakings Orange Romania S.A. and RCS & RDS S.A. on the market of service for issuing (...)

The EU Commission carries out unannounced inspections at the premises of a pharmaceutical company active in animal health in Belgium due to suspected abuse of dominance
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1338 contributions 2824359 visites
Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the animal health sector in Belgium* The European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections at the premises of a pharmaceutical company active in animal health in Belgium. The Commission has concerns that the inspected (...)

The EU Commission investigates for the first time a case relating to divisional patent filing and litigation strategies in the pharmaceutical sector (Teva)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 116 contributions 71797 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 3 contributions 1577 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 59 contributions 21061 visites
On 4 March 2021 the EU Commission announced it has launched a formal investigation into possible anti-competitive conduct by pharmaceutical company Teva in relation to its blockbuster drug Copaxone, which is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The patent for the active ingredient in (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority investigates a possible abuse of dominance in the country’s natural gas market
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Espagne 138 contributions 30118 visites
The CNMC investigates possible anticompetitive practices in Spain’s natural gas market* It assesses an alleged abuse of dominant position in said market involving foreclosure. The CNMC investigates a potential antitrust violation in Spain’s natural gas market. On 30 September and 1 (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority investigates a potential abuse of a dominant position in the natural gas market
Ecija & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 20 contributions 2167 visits
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Bird & Bird (Madrid)
Spain 29 contributions 4687 visits
In Spain, as in many other countries, the gas sector is crucial given its strategic importance and its necessary use for many industrial and consumer applications. It is also one of the most complex sectors, with several players spread over different upstream and downstream markets such as (...)

The Serbian Competition Authority investigates the existence of resale price maintenance practices by an importer and distributor of coffee machines (SF1 Coffee)
Serbian Commission for Protection of Competition (Belgrade)
Serbia 3 contributions 310 visits
Commission Institutes Another Proceedings on the Consumer Electronics Market* The Commission for Protection of Competition instituted antitrust proceedings ex officio and carried out a dawn raid at business premises of company SF1 Coffee d.o.o., a Nespresso importer and distributor, to (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority fines a detergent seller €3.3M for abuse of dominance and obstruction of parallel imports of its products by competitors (Κ.A.C. Constantinides Trading / GPM-Henkel)
Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia)
Cyprus 64 contributions 8466 visits
The Commission for the Protection of Competition has imposed on Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, jointly and severally with GPM-Henkel Ltd, a total administrative fine amounting to €3.302.000 (three million, three hundred and two thousand euro) for infringement of Section 6(1)(b) of the Law and the (...)

The EU Court of Justice clarifies the Commission’s investigative powers regarding dawn raids (České dráhy)
Zepos & Yannopoulos (Athens)
Grèce 35 contributions 3606 visites
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Zepos & Yannopoulos (Athens)
Grèce 29 contributions 2428 visites
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Linklaters (London)
Royaume-Uni 34 contributions 3102 visites
Recent judgements by Court of Justice of the EU provide important clarifications regarding the European Commission’s powers and obligations when conducting dawn raids. On 30 January 2020, the Court of Justice handed down a judgment dismissing two appeals by České dráhy, a.s. against General (...)

The EU Court of Justice dismisses the appeals against the Commission’s decisions in the case of alleged predatory practices by the Czech railway incumbent (České dráhy)
Ashurst (Brussels)
Belgium 37 contributions 9020 visits
On 30 January 2020, the European Court of Justice dismissed the appeals in joined cases C-538/18 P and C-539/18 P brought by Czech national rail carrier České dráhy, which sought to set aside the judgments of the General Court in cases T‑325/16 and T‑621/16 upholding the European Commission’s (...)

Procedures

 The Turkish Constitutional Court rules a judge’s decision is necessary for conducting on-site inspections (Ford)
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 23 contributions 3947 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 18 contributions 2986 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 6 contributions 1092 visits
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Introduction The Constitutional Court published a significant decision (“Decision”) which includes critical assessments on whether the on-site inspections conducted by the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) violate the inviolability of domicile protected under Article 21 of the (...)

The Austrian Competition Authority files an application with the Cartel Court to impose a fine of €4.8M on a construction cartel, and to find that a leniency applicant committed an infringement (Pittel / Brausewetter / Kostmann)
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Autriche 63 contributions 7225 visites
Construction cartel UPDATE – AFCA files application for a fine on Pittel + Brausewetter and for findings on Kostmann* In the course of its investigations into the Austrian construction industry, the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) filed another application on 21 February 2023 (...)

The Austrian Supreme Cartel Court dismisses an appeal challenging the procedures adopted by the Competition Authority in its investigations and execution of a dawn raid in the wood pellets market
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Autriche 63 contributions 7225 visites
Supreme Cartel Court confirms Cartel Court’s search warrant (26 Kt 6/22k) in connection with AFCA investigations into the wood pellets market* The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) carried out dawn raids at several pellet companies and one association in the Austrian provinces of (...)

The EU Court of Justice clarifies that legal professional privilege extends to all communication exchanges with external counsel (Orde van Vlaamse Balies)
Schibsted (Oslo)
26 contributions 16921 visites
The EU Court of Justice ("CJEU") has recently clarified the scope of legal professional privilege ("LPP") under EU law. The CJEU ruled that LPP applies to all communications between EEA-qualified external lawyers and their clients, and is not limited to advice relating to the exercise of the (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority imposes pecuniary sanctions and fines on natural persons for failure to cooperate with the Authority in a dawn raid
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2830 visits
The CPC imposed a pecuniary sanction and fines on natural persons for failure to comply with the obligation for cooperation with the Commission in the exercise of its powers* On 30.06.2022 the CPC carried out an inspection at the office of a leading retailer of toners and other printing (...)

The Turkish Constitutional Court partially annuls and partially upholds a complaint by 137 Parliament members challenging 2020 amendments to the Competition Law updating the Competition Authority’s powers related to imposing structural remedies and carrying out dawn raids
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 12 contributions 1705 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 12 contributions 2809 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 5 contributions 646 visits
The Constitutional Court of Turkey (the “Court”) delivered a judgment on 9 November 2022 regarding the action for an annulment application made by the 137 members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey against amendments introduced in 2020 to various articles of Law No. 4054 on the (...)

The EU Commission launches a consultation seeking feedback on its antitrust procedural framework
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 14 contributions 5085 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 6 contributions 1552 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 2 contributions 567 visits
On June 30, 2022, the European Commission (“EC”) launched a public consultation seeking feedback on the performance of Regulation 1/2003 and Regulation 773/2004 (the “Regulations”), which govern the enforcement procedure of EU antitrust law. Interested parties are invited to provide comments (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority declines to implement an administrative fine for senior executives deleting WhatsApp during a dawn raid because it could not ascertain when the apps were deleted
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 9 contributions 1843 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 1 contribution 79 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 1 contribution 79 visits
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Introduction In accordance with the Turkish Competition Authority’s (“TCA”) decision dated 25.11.2021 and numbered 21-57/796-M, the TCA initiated an investigation against undertakings in the market for fast-moving consumer goods to ascertain whether Article 4 of Law No. 4054 on the (...)

The Ankara 2nd Administrative Court stays the execution of the Competition Authority’s decision to fine an online marketplace for obstructing a dawn raid (Sahibinden)
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 9 contributions 1843 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 3 contributions 652 visits
Introduction As is well known, the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) is authorized to examine all data and documents on electronic platforms and information systems during the on-site inspections pursuant to the amendment dated 16.06.2020 on Article 15 of Law No. 4054 on the Protection (...)

The Ankara 2nd Administrative Court stays the imposition of a substantial fine for obstructing a dawn raid by deleting WhatsApp messages because the messages remained retrievable through other employees and were not relevant to the investigation (Sahibinden)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 168 contributions 81272 visits
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 5 contributions 1105 visits
This case summary includes an analysis of the Ankara 2nd Administrative Court’s (“the Court of First Instance”) Sahibinden SoE decision (E. 2022/254, 15.04.2022) in which the Court of First Instance stays of execution of the Board’s decision where the Board imposed an administrative monetary (...)

The Lithuanian Competition authority fines two undertakings for obstructing an investigation (Būsto aplinka / Mano Būsto priežiūra)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 105 contributions 20207 visits
Lithuanian Konkurencijos Taryba assigns individual sanctions to infringers in obstruction case The Lithuanian competition authority Konkurencijos taryba assigned individual sanctions to the companies Būsto aplinka and Mano Būsto priežiūra which obstructed the inspection conducted by the (...)

The Lithuanian Supreme Administrative Court orders the Competition Authority to recalculate the fines it imposed on two companies for obstructing its investigation (Būsto aplinka / Mano Būsto priežiūra)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 105 contributions 20207 visits
LITHUANIAN COMPETITION AUTHORITY IS OBLIGED TO ASSIGN INDIVIDUAL SANCTIONS IN OBSTRUCTION CASE* The Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania (Court) announced that the Lithuanian competition authority should recalculate the fines for the companies Būsto aplinka and Mano Būsto priežiūra (...)

The EU Commission carries out its first dawn raid since the COVID-19 pandemic started at the German premises of a company active in the clothing sector
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 44 contributions 17681 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 16 contributions 5098 visits
,
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 116 contributions 71797 visites
On 22 June 2021 the European Commission (“Commission”) revealed that it had carried out surprise inspections at the German premises of a company active in the clothing sector, suspected of infringing competition rules. This was the first unannounced inspection, or “dawn raid”, conducted by (...)

The Lithuanian Supreme Administrative Court upholds the Competition Authority’s decision not to apply protection of legal professional privilege to certain documents and not to remove them from the inspection data set rules during investigations of competition law infringements (AV investicija)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 2 contributions 91 visits
The Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania (“SACL”) ruled on the protection of legal professional privilege (“LPP”) during the investigations of the competition law infringements. The SACL upheld the decision of the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania (“Competition Council”) (...)

The French Constitutional Council declares unconstitutional a provision of the Commercial Code that permits fines in cases for obstructing an investigation because an existing criminal provision sanctions the same conduct (Akka Technologies)
Addleshaw Goddard (Paris)
France 39 contributions 44104 visites
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Total Energies (Paris)
France 30 contributions 7487 visites
On 26 March 2021, the French Constitutional Council ruled that, insofar as a criminal provision sanctions the same conduct, the provision of the Commercial Code imposing a fine (being up to 1% of the undertaking’s annual turnover) for obstructive practices to an investigation is (...)

The French Administrative Supreme Court confirms the scope of the Competition Authority’s investigative powers in the context of cross-border investigations (Caudalie)
Addleshaw Goddard (Paris)
France 39 contributions 44104 visites
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Total Energies (Paris)
France 30 contributions 7487 visites
On 17 February 2021, the French Supreme Court confirmed an order authorising the French Competition Authority ("FCA") to carry out dawn raids at Caudalie’s premises on its own account following a request for assistance received from its Belgian counterpart. What you need to know – key (...)

The French Supreme Court extends legal privilege to all attorney-client correspondence relating to rights of defence (EDF / Dalkia)
Huawei Technologies (Boulogne-Billancourt)
France 12 contributions 2712 visits
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Bird & Bird (Paris)
France 23 contributions 3219 visits
On 20 January 2021, the criminal chamber of the French Supreme Court held that in the context of a dawn raid carried out by a competition authority, all attorney-client correspondence relating to the right of defence is protected and therefore exempt from seizure. Contrary to what previous (...)

The Czech Competition Authority fines the manager of an electricity company for not fulfilling the obligation to cooperate during dawn raids (Egem)
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
Czech Republic 47 contributions 6324 visits
Manager of egem did not fulfil the obligation to cooperate during the dawn raid, the office imposed a fine amounting to czk 2,362,000* Petr Mlsna, the Chairman of the Office for the Protection of Competition, by the decision of 6 January 2021 rejected the appeal of EGEM s.r.o. and upheld (...)

The Indian Competition Authority carries out dawn raids at the offices of major cement manufacturers (UltraTech Cement / Shree Cement / Ambuja Cement / ACC / Dalmia Cement / Rockstrong Cement)
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10258 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 8416 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10324 visits
…
On December 9th, 2020, the DG carried out dawn raids at the offices of top cement manufacturing companies, including UltraTech Cement, Shree Cement, Ambuja Cement, ACC, Dalmia Cement, and Rockstrong Cement, over allegations of price coordination and collaborating levels of cement supply. The (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority publishes guidelines for the examination of digital data during on-site inspections
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 168 contributions 81272 visits
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 24 contributions 4801 visits
,
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 12 contributions 2995 visits
(1) Introduction The Guidelines on Examination of Digital Data during On-site Inspections (“Guidelines”), which was recently published by the Turkish Competition Authority (“Authority”), specifically refer to the procedure to be followed when the case handlers encounter situations calling (...)

The Peruvian Competition Authority publishes its dawn raid guidelines
Peruvian Competition Authority - INDECOPI (Lima)
Peru 8 contributions 1926 visits
Indecopi publishes its Dawn Raids Guidelines, to establish the scope of these investigation actions that allow the detection of anticompetitive conducts* The Guidelines describe the main characteristics of dawn raids carried out during investigations in competition matters. Its publication (...)

The Paris Court of Appeal annuls dawn raids conducted by the Competition Authority to find evidence of an alleged price-fixing cartel in the domestic appliance sector (Whirlpool)
University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
France 396 contributions 454546 visits
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Addleshaw Goddard (Paris)
France 39 contributions 44104 visites
On 8 July 2020, the Paris Court of appeal ("the Court") annulled dawn raids conducted by the French Competition Authority ("the FCA") at Whirlpool’s premises in 2014. On 27 and 28 May 2014, the FCA raided Whirlpool’s premises to find evidence of an alleged price-fixing cartel in the domestic (...)

The Turkish Constitutional Court issues a decision finding a violation of constitutional rights of the concerned undertaking during the appeal process of a competition law infringement action (Onmed)
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 12 contributions 4226 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 8 contributions 1970 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 9 contributions 1843 visits
Introduction On 30 September 2020, the Constitutional Court’s long-awaited decision as regards the controversies arisen from the application of the most favorable law in competition law cases was announced in the Turkish Official Gazette. This decision appears to be a crucial one as it is the (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority resumes dawn raids, interrogations, and public hearings that were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 207 contributions 35139 visits
ACM resumes dawn raids, interrogations, and public hearings* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has resumed conducting unannounced dawn raids and interrogations as part of investigations into possible violations committed by companies. In addition, ACM has resumed (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority publishes an explanatory note clarifying its dawn raids procedure
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 105 contributions 20207 visits
Konkurencijos Taryba Publishes Explanatory Note on Inspections Performed at Business Premises* The Lithuanian competition authority Konkurencijos taryba has prepared an explanatory note for companies and their lawyers to give more clarity on the procedures of the inspections carried out at (...)