Brussels, 22/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - As announced, on Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a decision making the commitments taken by Coca Cola in October 2004 in the context of the open inquiry into its anti-competitive trade practice, legally binding in the EU, Iceland and Norway (EUROPE 8810). “This decision will be favourable to consumers as it will intensify competition on the non-alcoholic soft drinks markets in Europe”, explains Neelie Kroes, Commissioner for Competition. The commitments taken by the American firm and by three of its main bottling companies successfully passed the market tests. They will be valid until 31 December 2010 and provide for: (a) the suppression of exclusivity conditions for contracts between Coca and its clients in Europe, who will be free to address the supplier of their choice; (b) ban on targeted discounts or quantity discounts, depending on the level of purchases from year to year, which also facilitates free supplier choice; (c) ban on using the most successful brands (Coca Cola or Fanta in particular) to sell the less popular products (Coca Cola Sprite or Vanilla), in the form of discounts for the joint purchase of all these products or for the sales display of all products of the same brand together; (d) at least 20% of the space provide free of charge by Coca Cola in a refrigerated container for the storage of any other product of the retailer's choice, when the latter does not have another installation of the same kind directly accessible to consumers. In the event of failure to comply with these commitments, the Commission may impose a fine of up to 10% of Coca Cola's world turnover.