Romania’s Competition Council completed 25 investigations on anti-competition breaches and applied fines totaling EUR 15.2 million last year, according to data presented yesterday by the institution.

By comparison, the institution applied fines of EUR 53 million in 2015, up 12% compared to 2014.

In total, 119 companies and associations were sanctioned last year by the Competition Council. Some 93 of them admitted that they had violated the law and benefited from lower fines. The Competition Council’s president Bogdan Chiritoiu says that the admission of guilt is a good thing, because it spares the institution from lengthy lawsuits with companies that challenge the council’s decision in court.

In 2016, six companies on the naval pilotage services and towage services market received a fine of EUR 4.9 million for agreements and abuse, among them the National Company for the Administration of Maritime Ports. The company Porta KMI Romania and a number of 24 distributors received fines of about EUR 3.3 million. Ariston Thermo Romania and other 15 distributors were fined with EUR 2.9 million.

The Competition Council will finalize several big investigations this year. These investigations target companies in the timber industry, insurers, tour operators, and big retailers.

editor@romania-insider.com