Brussels, 17/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On 28 and 29 April this year, Commission services, working with the national competition authorities of several member states, carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the bale wrap industry. Bale wrap is plastic stretch film used for the packaging and preservation of silage, hay or straw. The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices and/or the abuse of dominant market position (Articles 101 and 102 respectively of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step in antitrust proceedings but do not mean that the inspected companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour. Neither do they prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. There is no strict deadline for the completion of inquiries into anti-competitive conduct as their duration depends on a number of factors including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the undertakings concerned cooperate with the Commission, and the exercise of the rights of defence. (F.G./transl.jl)