Aktualita
CARTELS: AMO SR conducted an unannounced inspection at an undertaking in forestry sector
Content
An agreement restricting competition might have been concluded between undertakings in connection with participating and submitting bids in public procurement for landscaping.
On 20 September 2022 the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic, the Division of Cartels, (hereafter "the Office") conducted an unannounced inspection in the business premises of an undertaking operating in forestry sector.
The inspection was carried out on the basis of a reasonable suspicion that an agreement restricting competition might have been concluded between undertakings operating in the field of construction works supply, in connection with the participation and submission of bids in public procurement for landscaping.
Since it might be a horizontal agreement between direct competitors, which is one of the most serious infringements of competition rules and is considered as a serious cartel, if such an agreement is proved, the undertaking faces a fine of up to 10 % of turnover for a previous closed accounting period.
The fact that the Office carried out an inspection does not mean that the affected entities infringed competition rules, nor does it prejudge the conclusions of investigation.
At this stage, the Office does not provide further information about the investigation.