Press Release: Competition: De Beers’ commitment to phase out rough diamond purchases from ALROSA made legally binding by Commission decision

Commitments entered into by De Beers to end purchases of rough diamonds as of 2009 from ALROSA, the world’s second largest producer, were rendered legally binding by a formal decision adopted by the European Commission on 22 February 2006. The Commission had been concerned that the practices of De Beers may have violated EC Treaty rules on abuse of dominant market positions (Article 82) but decided now to close the case in the light of the commitments submitted by De Beers.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Competition: Antitrust Decision COMP/B-2/38.381: De Beers/ALROSA Trade Agreement http://ec.europa.eu/competition/antitrust/cases/dec_docs/38381/38381_1065_1.pdf

European Commission: Memo: MEMO/06/90, Competition: De Beers’commitment to phase out rough diamond purchases from ALROSA– Frequently Asked Questions, 22.2.06 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/90&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=fr

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