The Council of the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (AMO) fined three undertakings and prohibited two from participating in public procurement for engaging in a cartel agreement during a public tender related to technologies for the bakery industry.

The AMO found that the undertakings did not act independently in the tender process, leading to a pre-agreed participant winning the competition.

The fines imposed on the undertakings varied based on factors such as cooperation with the AMO, participation in leniency programs, and successful settlements.

The Council of AMO emphasized that cartel agreements in public tenders undermine competition and the purpose of obtaining goods or services at the best price-quality ratio.

The leniency program and settlement options are important tools for detecting and addressing cartel agreements, with the potential for reduced fines and bans on participation in public procurement.