| Decision 571/2013 | |
|---|---|
| File (PDF) | Decision 571/2013 |
| Date of Publication of Decision | July 29th, 2013 |
| Issue Number of Government Bulletin | 645/Β/14.3.2014 |
| Relevant Market |
Providing Theoretical and Practical Driving Courses |
| Subject of the Decision |
Cartel |
| Legal Framework |
Art. 1 L.3959/2011 |
| Operative part of the Decision |
Finding of infringement |
| Complainant(s) |
Ex-officio investigation |
| Company(ies) concerned |
1. Association of Driving Schools of Peloponnese and Western Greece "AGIOS NIKOLAOS" 2. Association of Car and Motorcycle Drivers’ Instructors of Thessaloniki "O LEFKOS PYRGOS" 3. Association of Car Drivers’ Instructors of the Prefecture of Evia and Viotia 4. Association of Professional Instructors for Car and Motorcycle Drivers of the Prefecture of Arta "O ARACHTHOS" 5. Association of Professional Instructors of Drivers and Motorcyclists of Epirus and Ionian Islands "TA GIANNENA" 6. Association of Car Drivers’ Instructors of Central Greece 7. Corinth Association of Candidate Drivers’ Trainers 8. Panhellenic Federation of Drivers’ Instructors (POEO) 9. Driving School Ser. Vokalis - Vas. Vlachos OE 10. Charalampos Liagas Driving School 11. George Katopis Driving School 12. Ioannis Kornezos Driving School 13. Panagiotis Lysigakis Driving School 14. Panagiotis Kroustalis Driving School 15. Apostolos Kapsalis Driving School 16. National Bank of Greece 17. EUROBANK 18. Piraeus Bank 19. Cooperative Bank of Lamia |
| Summary of Decision |
In this case, the HCC found that certain professional associations and individual companies operating in the driving school market had infringed competition rules and it therefore imposed fines. In the Decision, the Commission issued recommendations and threatened with the imposition of sanctions in case of non-compliance. In particular, the Commission decided that certain professional associations and companies throughout Greece had implemented collusive practices, in particular through price fixing and, occasionally, through restriction of the provision of relevant services, in breach of Article 1 of the Competition Law. In addition, the HCC found that the COOPERATIVE BANK OF LAMIA acted as a facilitator of the cartel and has therefore infringed competition law. The total amount of fine imposed amounts to 111,900 euros. |
| Judicial Means | Judicial Proceedings were initiated. |
| Decisions by the Court of Appeal of Athens (Administrative Division) | DEA 4771/2015 , StE 1039/2016 |
