Austrian competition authority Updates

Oct 24, 2024

The Austrian Cartel Court significantly raises a fine against Palmers Textil Aktiengesellschaft from EUR 5,000 to EUR 100,000 for unlawfully proceeding with a merger before obtaining approval.

Oct 23, 2024

The Austrian Cartel Court has upheld the competition authority's appeal and imposed a fine of EUR 65,000 on Pirkl Carpentry for participating in anticompetitive practices in the construction and furniture carpentry sector.

Oct 22, 2024

The Bundeswettbewerbsbehörde and OECD held a joint workshop focusing on detecting and preventing bid rigging in public contracts, featuring insights from international experts and practical case studies.

Oct 21, 2024

FCC Austria Abfall Service AG's involvement in price-fixing, market allocation, and exchange of sensitive information with competitors in the waste management sector in Austria from July 2002 to March 2021 has led to a final decision against the company.

Oct 10, 2024

The Austrian competition authority requested a fine against a businesswoman for participating in price-fixing agreements in the market research sector, leading to a court decision confirming her involvement.

Sep 23, 2024

The Austrian Competition Authority imposed a fine of 1.25 million euros on Leithäusl for participating in cartel activities related to construction projects over a 15-year period.

Sep 17, 2024

Peugeot has been fined EUR 15 million by the Cartel Court for abusing its dominant position in the new car sales and workshop operation markets from 2017 to 2021, with the automotive market remaining under scrutiny.

Sep 17, 2024

The Austrian competition authority, BWB, has requested a fine of EUR 98,000 against Malaschofsky for participating in cartel activities related to construction projects in Lower Austria.

Sep 8, 2024

The Austrian waste management company Saubermacher Dienstleistungs AG cooperated with authorities in a cartel investigation, leading to a reduced fine request of EUR 7.085 million.

Sep 5, 2024

European competition authorities have released guidelines to enhance legal certainty in cases of abusive behavior by dominant companies, aiming to promote effective enforcement of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

Sep 4, 2024

Austrian construction company Leyrer + Graf was fined EUR 5.8 million by the Cartel Court following an application by the Federal Competition Authority for participating in cartel activities related to public and private construction tenders.

Aug 27, 2024

BWB and BAK present a new Compliance Compass aimed at raising awareness and providing guidance on complex procurement issues for decision-makers at the municipal level.

Aug 19, 2024

The Austrian Competition Authority initiates an investigation into the district heating market, focusing on major regional energy providers and potential anti-competitive practices affecting over a million households.

Aug 19, 2024

The Austrian competition authority and energy regulator release their second interim report on the electricity and gas markets, focusing on procurement strategies, pricing, market concentration, and consumer behavior.

Aug 13, 2024

The Austrian competition authority, BWB, has finalized its investigation into suspected cartel agreements involving road expansion joints and bridge bearings, targeting companies Mageba and Maurer.

Aug 12, 2024

The Austrian Cartel Court has fined Bodner EUR 1.05 million for participating in price-fixing and market allocation practices in the construction sector, following a request by the Federal Competition Authority.

Aug 4, 2024

Fronius was fined 3 million euros by the Cartel Court following an application by the BWB for engaging in anti-competitive practices in distribution agreements in the welding technology sector.

Jul 10, 2024

The Austrian competition authority clarifies the confidentiality and use of whistleblower documents in antitrust proceedings, emphasizing the protection of sensitive information.

Jul 8, 2024

The Austrian competition authority extended the review period for a merger between Raiffeisen-Holding Niederösterreich-Wien Beteiligungs GmbH and Niederösterreichisches Pressehaus Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft m.b.H., ultimately approving the merger with conditions to protect media diversity.

Jun 25, 2024

The BWB presented its 2023 activities report to the Parliament, focusing on translations of the word 'competition' by EU member states on the European Day of Languages.