Antitrust: Commission fines ARA €6 million for hindering competition on Austrian waste management market

On the 30 September 2016, the European Commission concluded a breach of European Union’s antitrust rules and therefore fined Altstoff Recycling Austria (ARA) €6 million for preventing competitors from entering the Austrian market for the waste management sector from 2008 to 2012. The proceedings had been formally opened in July 2011 and ARA had been sent a statement of objections in July 2013.

Because ARA had cooperated with the Commission by acknowledging the infringement and ensuring that the decision could benefit from administrative efficiencies, as well as by proposing a structural remedy, its fine was reduced by 30%.

ESO: Background information: Competition: Commission revises Guidelines for setting fines in antitrust cases http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-competition-commission-revises-guidelines-for-setting-fines-in-antitrust-cases/

ESO: Background information: Antitrust: Commission sends statement of objections to ARA for suspected abuse of dominance on Austrian waste management markets http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-antitrust-commission-sends-statement-of-objections-to-ara-for-suspected-abuse-of-dominance-on-austrian-waste-management-markets/

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