The European Commission’s (EC) press release states that EC is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the synthetic turf industry in several Member States. The Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices.

The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the national competition authorities of the Member States where the inspections were carried out.

Unannounced inspections are a preliminary investigatory step into suspected anticompetitive practices. The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections and sends out formal requests for information does not mean that the company is guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. The Commission respects the rights of defence, in particular the right of companies to be heard in antitrust proceedings.

There is no legal deadline to complete inquiries into anticompetitive conduct. Their duration depends on several factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the undertakings concerned cooperate with the Commission and the scope of the exercise of the rights of defence.

Under the Commission's leniency programme companies that have been involved in a secret cartel may be granted immunity from fines or significant reductions in fines in return for reporting the conduct and cooperating with the Commission throughout its investigation. Individuals and companies can report cartel or other anti-competitive behaviour on an anonymous basis through the Commission's whistle-blower tool.

Further information on the Commission's leniency programme and whistle-blower tool is available on DG Competition's website.

It is also known that businesses that violate EU antitrust regulations risk fines of up to 10% of their global turnover. However, it is worth considering that the impact may extend beyond individual suppliers to a broader network of installers and materials suppliers.