Brussels, 15/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EU General Court has upheld the €38 million fine imposed on E.ON Energie on 30 January 2008 for breaking a seal affixed to an office by the Commission during an inspection of company premises in Munich in May 2006.
With its judgment in case T-141, handed down on 15 December, the Court rejected the company's appeal, ruling that the Commission was entitled in law to consider that, at the very least, the seal had been negligently broken. E.ON Energie should have taken all necessary measures to prevent any tampering with the seal, having been clearly informed of the significance of the seal and the consequences of any breach. The Court also ruled that the fine imposed on E.ON Energie, which amounts to approximately 0.14 % of its turnover, is not disproportionate to the seriousness of the infringement (EU law provides for imposition of fines on companies of up to 1% of their turnover for breaking, either deliberately or negligently, seals affixed by the Commission during an inspection). (F.G./transl.rt)