Today, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of undertakings active in the import and (wholesale and retail) of white goods such as refrigerators, washing machines, cooking stoves and cooker hoods.  The HCC suspects that the inspected companies may have engaged in anti-competitive practices in the form of vertical restraints in violation of Article 1 of Law no. 3959/2011 and/or Article 101 of the Treaty for the Functioning of the European Union.

According to EA's preliminary research, demand for white goods is expected to increase in 2022, among other reasons because of the program “Allazo Siskevi” ("Swapping Appliance") of the Greek Ministry for Environment and Energy, which concerns the recycling and replacement of energy-consuming electrical appliances.  Therefore, a potential increase in prices due to anti-competitive practices will have a direct impact on the budget of Greek households. 

Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step in an investigation into suspected anticompetitive practices.  The fact that the HCC has carried out inspections does not mean that the inspected undertakings have engaged in anti-competitive behavior, nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.

Legal Framework

The HCC is responsible for enforcing Greek and EU antitrust rules in the Greek territory (Articles 1 and 2 of Greek Law 3959/2011 and Articles 101 and 102 TFEU). 

• Article 1 of Law no. 3959/2011 and Article 101 of the TFEU prohibit anticompetitive agreements and decisions of associations of undertakings that prevent, restrict or distort competition. 
• Article 2 of Law no. 3959/2011 and Article 102 of the TFEU prohibit the abuse of a dominant position. 

The HCC investigates and prosecutes any suspected infringement of Greek and EU antitrust laws which is brought to its attention through complaints, applications for leniency, or other sources of information, including its recently launched whistleblowing tool.  The HCC will impose severe administrative sanctions on undertakings which are found to have adopted such anti-competitive practices.