The Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out unannounced inspections on the 17th and 18th of December at the premises of an undertaking active in the market for the supply, trading, wholesale and retail sale of coffee, chocolate and infant nutrition, in relation to possible anti-competitive horizontal and/or vertical agreements and possible abuse of dominant position in breach of Articles 1 and 2 of Law 3959/2011, as in force, and 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
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.
The HCC enforces Greek and EU antitrust rules in the Greek territory (Articles 1, 1A 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 1A of Law no. 3959/2011 prohibits unilateral practices that constitute an invitation to collude or future price announcements to competitors.
- Article 2 of Law no. 3959/2011 and Article 102 of the TFEU prohibit the abuse of a dominant position.
The HCC points out that, within the framework of its responsibilities, it will intervene as an immediate priority where necessary, and will examine any relevant case that comes to its notice, upon submission of a complaint, application for leniency or anonymous information through the secure digital environment (whistleblowing) and will impose severe administrative sanctions on companies that apply anti-competitive practices, pursuant to the provisions of law 3959/2011 and the articles 101/102 TFEU.
