Federal Competition Authority is investigating price agreements at parquet floors
Federal Competition Authority is investigating price agreements at parquet floors
Steyr, Österreich - The Federal Competition Authority (BWB) has initiated a comprehensive investigation in the field of parquet foot floors in recent months. This investigation revolves around possible price agreements that could have been created during the economic crisis period. According to the BWB, a total of 22 new procedures took place in 2024, whereby this year will be remembered as the only one in which the authority also carried out house searches.
As part of these developments, BWB made six applications against construction companies last year that are part of a large construction cartel in Austria. Nine other companies have already been fined. However, it is unclear how high the punishment for Strabag will ultimately be. The company was originally sentenced to 45.37 million euros. In this context, the BWB applied for the proceedings against Strabag due to possible incomplete cooperation in the investigation.The role of BWB and current developments
like BWB reported, the decision of the cartel court of October 21, 2021 affects two companies of the Strabag concentration. Strabag is blamed with competitors due to anti -anti -anti -anti -anti -cost statements, market reports and exchange of information. These violations are said to have taken place from July 2002 to October 2017. In the course of the proceedings, Strabag has submitted a crown witness declaration and agreed to implement compliance measures.
In order to make the negotiations transparent, BWB boss Natalie Harsdorf, who was ordered by 2028, has emphasized the importance of the key witness program. She emphasizes that the BWB conducts its work regardless of political considerations.
competition law framework
Every entrepreneur in Austria is bound to antitrust rules that come from European competition law and domestic regulations. As the wko , these regulations must be observed to maintain the competition, since violations can lead to high fines. Problematic restrictions on competitors include horizontal agreements, such as pricing and market displays, as well as vertical agreements that can hinder the competition through price restrictions and sole sales contracts.
The BWB is also currently investigating energy markets, especially in the area of district heating, and calls for the state energy suppliers to give up their cross -involvement in order to promote competition. In addition to the ongoing investigations in the parquet sector and against the Brau Union due to abuse of market power, BWB remains active in the field of competition monitoring and enforcement.
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| Ort | Steyr, Österreich |
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