The European Commission is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the synthetic turf industry in several Member States.
Article continues below
The Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU')).
Synthetic turf is artificial grass used for different applications that replicates the appearance and function of natural grass. The investigation concerns synthetic turf for sports use.
The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the national competition authorities of the Member States where the inspections were carried out.
Unannounced inspections are a preliminary investigatory step into suspected anticompetitive practices.
The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections and sends out formal requests for information does not mean that the company is guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.
The Commission respects the rights of defence, in particular the right of companies to be heard in antitrust proceedings.
There is no legal deadline to complete inquiries into anticompetitive conduct.
Their duration depends on several factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the undertakings concerned cooperate with the Commission and the scope of the exercise of the rights of defence.
Companies found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules face fines up to 10% of their global turnover. ■
A Commerce Commission investigation and subsequent High Court proceedings has resulted in more than 2,600 customers being refunded a total of nearly $480,000 after three companies, part of the Vocus Group, breached the Fair Trading Act.