Unannounced inspections were carried out on Monday 20 March at the premises of Austria’s world leader in energy drinks, Red Bull, on suspicion of anti-competitive practices, the company confirmed on Tuesday 21 March.
The European Commission has organised such inspections at the group’s premises in several EU countries.
The Commission is concerned that the company in question may have violated EU antitrust rules prohibiting cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and Article 53 of the European Economic Area Agreement). The company may have violated EU antitrust rules, which prohibit abuses of dominant positions (Article 102 of the Treaty and Article 54 of the EEA).
The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the national competition authorities of the Member States where the inspections took place.
The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the company is guilty of anti-competitive behaviour and does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
There is no legal deadline for completing investigations into anti-competitive behaviour. Their duration depends on several factors, such as the complexity of each case, the extent to which the companies concerned cooperate with the Commission and the scope of the exercise of the rights of defence. Companies involved in a secret cartel face heavy fines. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)