The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has initiated an investigation into a possible bid rigging for the supply of gas meters for Polska Spółka Gazownictwa (PSG). Office employees conducted searches at the premises of four gas industry entrepreneurs, the Office reported.
“We suspect a collusive bidding process, so I initiated an explanatory proceeding, during which we searched the company’s premises. Orders for the supply of gas meters are organized by Polska Spółka Gazownictwa on a regular basis, and their subject matter is the supply of instruments commonly used, among others, in households. collected evidence,” said the President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny.
The employees of UOKiK, assisted by the Police, conducted searches at the premises of four entrepreneurs involved in the production or distribution of bellows gas meters after obtaining the consent of the competent court. The information from the Office shows that entrepreneurs participating in tenders organized by Polska Spółka Gazownictwa could have concluded an anti-competitive agreement. Tender collusion in this case could include public procurement procedures for the supply of bellows gas meters, carried out after January 1, 2017. The total amount allocated by Polska Spółka Gazownictwa to finance these contracts is approximately PLN 690 million.
Explanatory proceedings are conducted in the case, not against specific entrepreneurs. If the collected material confirms the suspicions, the President of the Office will initiate anti-monopoly proceedings and bring charges against specific entities. Participation in an agreement restricting competition is subject to a financial penalty of up to 10% of the entrepreneur’s turnover.
Source: UOKiK and ISBnews
