Brussels, 23/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has confirmed that, on 2 October, it sent a letter of grievance to E.ON Energie AG concerning a broken seal. Commission investigators carried out a spot check in May 2006 (EUROPE 9194) to shed light on the way the energy market works in 6 Member States. The operation lasted two days on E.ON premises in Germany, the door of an office being sealed at the end of the first day, but the seal was found broken the next day either “intentionally or due to negligence”, according to Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes. As this serious affair is the first of its kind, it is difficult, as Ms Kroes' spokesman explained, to estimate what the penalty should be but the offence could, in theory, entail a fine of up to 1% of annual turnover. The seal manufacturer, 3M, stresses it is hardly likely that the seal broke through oversight. E.ON nonetheless denies any infringement and calls for a hearing in order to present its oral response. This incident is quite separate from the main affair, which is the inquiry into suspected competition restriction and/or abuse of dominant position on the German energy market. The inquiry is still underway. (cd)