Romania’s High Court of Cassation and Justice has confirmed that oil companies Rompetrol and ENI Romania broke the competition law, through a cartel agreement. The groups have thus lost the battle with Romania’s Competition Council, as the verdict is final.

However, the court reduced their fine from 2.6% to 2% of their turnover in 2010. Rompetrol Downstream needs to pay EUR 27.6 million, whereas ENI Romania has to pay almost EUR 2 million.

The High Court of Cassation and Justice also confirmed at the beginning of the month that the fuel distribution company Mol Romania broke the competition law by participating in a cartel agreement.

Up to now, the court irrevocably settled three of the six trials with oil companies, which are now rolling at the High Court of Cassation and Justice. At the end of 2011, the Competition Council sanctioned six oil companies with total fines worth EUR 205 million, for closing a cartel agreement.

editor@romania-insider.com