Memo: Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections in biofuel sector

The European Commission confirmed that on 7 October 2014 EC officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the production, distribution and trading of ethanol, a biofuel.

These inspections took place in two EU Member States. They followed inspections that the Commission and the EFTA Surveillance Authority undertook in May 2013 in the crude oil, refined oil products and biofuel sectors.

The Commission has concerns that price benchmarks may have been distorted through anti-competitive behaviour, including through possible collusion when submitting price information to a Price Reporting Agency. Such behaviour, if established, may amount to violations of European antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices and abuses of a dominant market position (Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and Articles 53 and 54 of the EEA Agreement).

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Memo: Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections in oil and biofuels sectors http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-antitrust-commission-confirms-unannounced-inspections-in-oil-and-biofuels-sectors/

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