Milan, 28 April (LaPresse) – The Italian Competition and Market Authority has imposed fines totalling €23,298,147 on Amica Chips SpA (€8,239,210), Pata SpA (€8,239,210) and Preziosi Food SpA (€7,503,550). The Authority found “a cartel restricting competition, in breach of Article 101 TFEU, in the Italian market for savoury snacks produced on behalf of large-scale retailers (GDO) and sold through the distribution network of those same retailers under private label brands”. The three companies “implemented a single, complex and ongoing secret agreement to share out the supply of savoury snacks produced on behalf of the ORE, through the coordination of their respective commercial policies”. The Competition Authority “applied its leniency programme and granted Pata and Amica Chips the benefit of a reduction in the fine, in view of the evidence produced, which was significant in proving the infringement” . Furthermore, the Authority “initiated, for the first time since its introduction, the settlement procedure provided for under Article 14-quater of Law No. 287 of 10 October 1990 and, thanks to the successful outcome of this procedure, the three companies benefited from a further reduction in the fine”.
Competition authority: fines totalling €23.29 million imposed on Amica Chips, Pata and Preziosi Food
Milan, 28 April (LaPresse) – The Italian Competition and Market Authority has imposed fines totalling €23,298,147 on Amica Chips SpA (€8,239,210), Pata SpA (€8,239,210) and Preziosi Food SpA (€7,503,550). The Authority found “a cartel restricting competition, in breach of Article 101 TFEU, in the Italian market for savoury snacks produced on behalf of large-scale retailers (GDO) and sold through the distribution network of those same retailers under private label brands”. The three companies “implemented a single, complex and ongoing secret agreement to share out the supply of savoury snacks produced on behalf of the ORE, through the coordination of their respective commercial policies”. The Competition Authority “applied its leniency programme and granted Pata and Amica Chips the benefit of a reduction in the fine, in view of the evidence produced, which was significant in proving the infringement” . Furthermore, the Authority “initiated, for the first time since its introduction, the settlement procedure provided for under Article 14-quater of Law No. 287 of 10 October 1990 and, thanks to the successful outcome of this procedure, the three companies benefited from a further reduction in the fine”.
