• President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, has instigated 10 proceedings into business entities that fail to pay to their suppliers on time.
• Earlier, the Authority had addressed the so-called soft calls to them in order to signal the problem and recommend that they immediately improve their payment culture toward contractors.
• Payment backlogs are particularly burdensome for micro-, small and medium-sized undertakings which cover their liabilities from the ongoing capital.

The President of UOKiK has instigated 10 proceedings concerning excessive delays in fulfilment of financial obligations by the following companies: Coca Cola HBC Polska, Delpharm Poznań, DOZ S.A. Direct sp.k., Emerlog, Mahle Behr Ostrów Wielkopolski, Padma, Przedsiębiorstwo Budowlane GRANIT, Suder & Suder, Teva Pharmaceuticals Polska, Track Tec Koltram.

Soft calls

Prior to the initiation of proceedings, UOKiK first addressed the so-called soft calls to these entities. They were aimed at signalling to the companies the irregularities noted in the area of payment practices and disciplining them with a view to immediate improvement.

- Defaulting on payments on the part of larger counterparties disrupts the liquidity of SMEs, thus destabilising their operations and limiting investments and growth. Therefore, it is unacceptable for large companies to not pay their smaller contractors on time. All the more so, because in the course of soft calls we informed entrepreneurs that failure to improve their payment discipline could result in the initiation of proceedings and, consequently, a financial penalty, says President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny.

What are the fines for entrepreneurs?

UOKiK will calculate fines for entrepreneurs based on the Act on counteracting excessive delays in payments, amended in 2022. It will take into account not only the value of overdue payments and the length of delays, but also the severity and circumstances of the violation, actions taken by the entrepreneur on its own initiative to stop the violation as well as cooperation with the Authority during the proceedings.

Visit the website on payment backlogs

The most important information regarding the competencies of UOKiK in connection with payment backlogs may be found on a dedicated website. What are payment backlogs? When can UOKiK investigate them? How can I report a business partner who has failed to make a payment? Who may file such a report? These and many other questions and answers can be found at https://uokik.gov.pl/zatory-platnicze