Brussels, 11/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Commission imposed a total of EUR 11.95 million in fines on the companies Britannia Alloys & Chemicals Ltd, Heubach GmbH & Co.KG, James Brown Ltd, Société Nouvelle des Couleurs Zinciques SA, Trident Alloys Ltd and Waardals Kjemiske Favrikker A/S, for having taken part in an agreement aimed at price fixing and market sharing in the zinc phosphate sector, an anti-corrosion mineral pigment used for the manufacture of industrial paints. "Sadly enough, today's decision shows that cartels are not the privilege of big, multinational firms. SMEs should be in no illusion that their size will not win them any kind of preferential treatment should they engage in cartel behaviour", commented Commissioner Mario Monti.