CARTELS: AMO carried out unannounced inspections at undertakings in photovoltaics

On 6 February 2024 the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (hereafter "AMO") carried out unannounced inspections at undertakings operating in the sector of photovoltaics (hereafter "FVE").

The inspections were carried out on the basis of a reasonable suspicion that the undertakings might have concluded an agreement restricting competition, in connection with the participation and the submission of bids in a public tender for the supply of industrial FVE for self-consumption.

If such an agreement is proved, the undertakings may face a fine of up to 10 % of the turnover for the previous closed accounting period, as the horizontal agreement between direct competitors is one of the most serious violations of competition rules and is considered a serious cartel.

The fact that the AMO carried out inspections does not mean that the undertakings infringed competition rules, nor does it prejudge the conclusions of investigation.

At this stage, AMO does not provide further information about the investigation.