
    
            <p>Over the past few months, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (<abbr title="Authority for Consumers &amp; Markets">ACM</abbr>) has again warned various suppliers because they possibly exerted pressure on retailers to charge higher retail prices for their products. That is illegal because it leads to consumers paying more than necessary. ACM has warned suppliers in various sectors: construction materials, bicycle and car accessories, batteries, and care products. These suppliers have taken ACM’s warning very seriously. Following ACM’s warning letters, they carried out internal investigations, sharpened their compliance courses, adjusted their agreements, and revised their communications. ACM will continue to check whether these companies comply with the rules. Companies risk a fine of up to 900,000 euros or 10 percent of their turnovers if they do not comply with the rules.</p>
<h2>Recommended retail prices for retailers must be non-binding</h2>
<p>Suppliers must enable retailers to set their retail prices themselves. That is why suppliers are only allowed to give retailers non-binding recommendations regarding retail prices. In that way, retailers are able to compete fairly with each other, and consumers pay the best price for the products offered. It is prohibited for suppliers to exert undue influence over the retail prices of retailers.<br>In order to offer suppliers and retailers guidance, ACM has created a checklist (in Dutch) for recommended retail prices. Suppliers can use this checklist to see whether they comply with the rules. Retailers can check whether their supplier exerts undue influence over the retail prices in online stores and/or brick-and-mortar stores.</p>
<h2>Report illegal arrangements to ACM</h2>
<p>ACM has limited resources. That is why it is not able to investigate all reports about undue influence over prices. On the basis of its <a href="/en/publications/publication/16182/Prioritization-of-enforcement-investigations-by-ACM" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="bac3136f-5368-4748-afad-c569d8e1129c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Prioritization of enforcement investigations by ACM">prioritization policy</a>, ACM decides what reports will be investigated further. In cases that are not investigated further, ACM can send a warning letter. If ACM receives new reports, it can still launch an investigation.<br>If you suspect suppliers of exerting undue influence over retail prices, please help us by <a href="/en/contact/tip-offs-or-indications/confess-your-involvement-in-a-cartel" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="df998cd3-e32d-4f8b-873c-9b53d6ad5d1b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Confess your involvement in a cartel">filing a report</a>.</p>
<h3>See also</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="/nl/concurrentie-en-marktwerking/concurreren-en-samenwerken/afspraken-tussen-leveranciers-en-winkeliers/adviesprijscheck-voor-leveranciers-en-winkeliers" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c6d1619a-f404-4ab4-bdd3-91f2f293ea79" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Adviesprijscheck voor leveranciers en winkeliers">Checklist for suppliers and retailers</a> (in Dutch)</li>
<li><a href="/nl/concurrentie-en-marktwerking/concurreren-en-samenwerken/afspraken-tussen-leveranciers-en-winkeliers/prijzen-en-verkooppunten-bepalen" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="4e6f2ff5-0a75-4bb4-a047-01d79b10852d" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Prijzen en verkooppunten bepalen">Determining prices and retail locations </a>(in Dutch)</li>
<li><a href="/en/contact/tip-offs-or-indications/confess-your-involvement-in-a-cartel" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="df998cd3-e32d-4f8b-873c-9b53d6ad5d1b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Confess your involvement in a cartel">Confessing your involvement in a cartel: file a request for leniency</a></li>
</ul>

      

ACM Warns Suppliers Against Influencing Retail Prices

The ACM has cautioned suppliers in industries such as construction materials, bicycle and car accessories, batteries, and care products for exerting undue influence on retail prices, leading to potential consumer harm. Suppliers are required to provide non-binding recommendations to retailers to allow fair competition and ensure consumers pay the best prices. Failure to comply may result in fines of up to 900,000 euros or 10% of turnover. ACM has provided a checklist for recommended retail prices and encourages reporting of any illegal arrangements. The authority prioritizes investigations based on reports received and can issue warning letters or launch investigations accordingly.

ACM Warns Suppliers Against Influencing Retail Prices

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has issued warnings to suppliers in various sectors for potentially pressuring retailers to set higher retail prices, which is illegal and harms consumers.