Memo: Antitrust: Commission has carried out inspections in the consumer detergents sector

The European Commission can confirm that on 17, 18 and 19 June 2008 Commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of several producers of consumer detergents such as washing machine and dishwasher detergents, and laundry softeners. The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EC Treaty rules on restrictive business practices and cartels (Article 81), which prohibit practices such as price fixing.