Memo: Competition: Commission has carried out inspections in the EU gas sector in five Member States

The European Commission confirmed that on 16 May 2006 Commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of gas companies in five Member States. The countries concerned were Germany, Italy, France, Belgium and Austria. The Commission had reason to believe that the companies concerned could have violated EC-Treaty antitrust rules that prohibit restrictive business practices and/or abuse of a dominant market position (Articles 81 and 82 respectively).