The European Commission carried out, on Tuesday 15 March, unannounced inspections at the premises of companies and associations active in the automotive sector in several Member States. In parallel, the Commission sent out formal requests for information to several companies active in the automotive sector.
The Commission has concerns that several companies and associations may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU). The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities. The inspections were conducted in coordination with the UK Competition and Markets Authority.
The inspections and requests for information concern possible collusion in the relation to the collection, treatment and recovery of end-of-life cars and vans, which are considered waste.
The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections and sends out formal requests for information does not mean that companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. There is no legal deadline for completing investigations into anti-competitive conduct. Their duration depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the companies and associations concerned co-operate with the Commission and the exercise of the rights of defence. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)