April 2013 – Recent developments in competition law in the CEE-SEE region.
Czech Republic
The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition fines REWE for not implementing the remedies agreed in a REWE/Plus Discount merger case
The Office for Protection of Competition imposed a fine of CZK 24,890,000 on REWE Zentralfinanz eG for non-compliance with the remedies imposed in merger control proceedings regarding the merger of REWE and PLUS-DISCOUNT spol. s.r.o., the companies who run the food stores chains Billa and Penny Market (REWE) and Plus (PLUS-DISCOUNT spol. s.r.o. ). Read more
Hungary
The Hungarian Competition Office rules on ancillary restraints and provides an overview of its related practice (Waberer/Szemerey)
On 20 December 2012 the Hungarian Competition Office cleared a concentration between two Hungarian companies active in forwarding and logistics (Waberer’s Logisztika Kft. as acquirer and Szemerey Transport Zrt. as target) and provided a useful summary of its attitude to ancillary restraints. Read more
Romania
Observations and conclusions to the Romanian Competition Council’s report on the automotive spare parts market
In April 2012, the Romanian Competition Council in its report following to the sector inquiry into the automotive spare parts market proposed the implementation of the “repair clause” into Romanian legislation. Read more
Serbia
The Competition Authority approved (subject to conditions) a merger between the two largest sugar producers in the Republic of Serbia
On 13 February 2013, the Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Serbia approved, under conditions related to the fulfilment of certain structural and behavioural measures, a merger between Sunoko d.o.o. Novi Sad and Hellenic Sugar Industry SA, a company with its registered seat in Thessaloniki, Greece. Interestingly, the merger was prohibited in 2012, but the decision was later annulled by the Administrative Court. Read more
Slovakia
The Court of Justice of the European Union rules in favour of the Antimonopoly Office in ‘Akcenta’ case
In its recent judg ment, the CJEU noted that Article 101 TFEU is intended to protect not only the interests of competitors or consumers but also the structure of the market and thus competition as such. The CJEU has therefore decided that the alleged illegality of Akcenta’s situation is irrelevant for the purpose of determining whether the conditions for an infringement of the competition rules are met. Moreover, according the CJEU, it is for public authorities, rather than for private undertakings, to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Read more
Turkey
The Turkish Competition Board imposes fines on 12 banks for collusion in the cash deposit, credit and credit card services markets
The Turkish Competition Board recently concluded an investigation against 12 major banks operating in Turkey. The Board decided that the banks had violated Turkish competition rules by concluding agreements and/or concerted practices in the respective markets and imposed a total fine of TL 1.1 billion. This is the highest fine ever imposed by the Board. Read more