• Have we been overpaying for popular IT, audio/video and household appliances?
• The President of UOKiK has launched a preliminary investigation and ordered searches of the premises of the largest electronics wholesalers and one manufacturer.
• An analysis is underway to determine whether collusion involving products from multiple brands may have taken place.

UOKiK has received reports indicating the possibility of agreements restricting competition in the sale of electronic equipment. The suspected collusion may have involved many popular IT, audio/video and household appliances, such as computers, laptops, televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, cookers, vacuum cleaners, and hair dryers.

– The case may be very broad in scope, involving devices from many brands. We are analysing extensive evidence gathered during the searches – says Tomasz Chróstny, the President of UOKiK.

The searches, conducted with the consent of the court and assisted by the police, took place at the headquarters of the three largest wholesale distributors of household appliances, audio/video equipment and IT equipment in Poland – AB, Action, and GT Group Tomaszek – as well as at one manufacturer, Beko.

The suspected collusion may have involved businesses at various levels of trade, i.e. manufacturers and importers, wholesale distributors and retailers, including large electronics stores and online shops.

The preliminary investigation is conducted in rem and not against specific businesses. If the evidence collected confirms the suspicions, the President of UOKiK 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 entering into a tender collusion agreement face a fine of up to PLN 2 million.

Do you suspect that you are involved in collusion?

Severe sanctions for participation in collusion can be avoided through the leniency scheme. It offers to entrepreneurs involved in an illegal agreement and to managers responsible for collusion an opportunity to reduce a fine or, in some cases, avoid it altogether. It is intended for those who agree to cooperate with the President of UOKiK as a “crown witness” and provide evidence or information regarding the existence of a prohibited agreement.

We encourage those interested in the leniency scheme to contact UOKiK at a dedicated phone number: 22 55 60 555. UOKiK staff will answer any questions about the leniency programme, including anonymous ones.

Your voice matters!

UOKiK runs a programme of acquiring information from anonymous whistle-blowers. Do you wish to inform us about competition restricting practices? Visit uokik.whiblo.pl or scan the QR code below and use the simple form. The system we use guarantees full anonymity, including from UOKiK.