Tyres – Photo Angie Harms
(BRUSSELS) – The EU Commission carried out unannounced raids Wednesday at the premises of several European tyre makers suspected ot violating EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices.
The inspections concern new replacement tyres for passenger cars, vans, trucks and busses sold in the European Economic Area. The Commission says it is concerned that price coordination took place amongst the inspected companies, including via public communications.
Unannounced inspections are a first investigatory step into suspected anti-competitive practices. The EU executive stresses that this step does not mean that the companies are guiltyof anti-competitive behaviour, nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.
There is no legal deadline to complete inquiries into anticompetitive conduct. Their duration depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the undertakings concerned co-operate with the Commission and the exercise of the rights of defence.
Under the Commission’s leniency programme companies that have been involved in a secret cartel may be granted immunity from fines or significant reductions in fines in return for reporting the conduct and cooperating with the Commission throughout its investigation. Individuals and companies can report cartel or other anti-competitive behaviour, also on an anonymous basis, through the Commission’s whistle-blower channels.
Further information on the Commission’s leniency programme and whistle-blower tool is available on DG Competition’s website.
