Brussels, 13/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 13 April, the European Commission fined Procter & Gamble and Unilever a total of € 315.2 million for operating a cartel together with Henkel in the market for household laundry powder detergents in eight EU countries (Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal). The fine on two companies (€211.2 million on Procter & Gamble and €104 million on Unilever) includes a 10% reduction for acknowledging the facts and enabling a swift conclusion of the investigation. Henkel got immunity for revealing the cartel to the Commission. The three companies are the leading producers of washing powder in Europe. The cartel lasted some three years (from 7 January 2002 until 8 March 2005) and aimed at stabilising market positions and at coordinating prices in violation of EU and EEA antitrust rules. This is the third cartel settlement in a year. (O.L./transl.fl)