• President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated preliminary proceedings regarding possible price fixing for bathroom furnishings.
• The analysis of the evidence collected during searches is pending.

Consumers arranging their bathroom or planning its refurbishment search for products such as taps, toilets, washbasins, baths, showers. To finish the works, it is necessary to purchase bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture, among others. In the preliminary proceedings, the President of UOKiK checks whether entrepreneurs selling bathroom furnishings of various brands have violated anti-trust laws. UOKiK employees have conducted searches in the registered offices of companies from Oltens and Radaway groups as well as in online and traditional showrooms. In total, 12 entrepreneurs have been searched.

- We have checked companies involved in manufacturing, marketing and trading in bathroom fittings both in traditional and online showrooms. We suspect that entrepreneurs, together with their distributors, may be involved in an agreement consisting, among others, in price fixing, including retails resale prices. Such action would constitute a violation of the competition law and deprive consumers of the possibility of buying cheaper products than at top-down rates – explains President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny.

The preliminary proceedings are conducted in the case itself and not in relation to specific entrepreneurs. The extensive material collected in the course of the searches is being analysed. If the suspicions are confirmed on its basis, the President of the Authority will initiate antitrust proceedings and bring charges against individual entities. An enterprise involved in a competition-restricting agreement faces a fine of up to 10% of its turnover. The managers responsible for concluding the collusion, in turn, face a fine of up to PLN 2 million.

Severe sanctions can be avoided by taking advantage of the leniency scheme. It offers to entrepreneurs involved in an illegal agreement and to managers responsible for price fixing an opportunity to reduce a fine or, in some cases, avoid it altogether. It is applicable to those who agree to cooperate with the President of UOKiK as a “crown witness” and provide evidence or information on the illegal agreement. We encourage the parties interested in the leniency scheme to contact the Authority. By calling 22 55 60 555, you will be able to talk to UOKiK lawyers, who will answer all of your questions, also anonymous ones, related to leniency applications.

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