Less than a week after security firms were fined for bid rigging (among others), the Belgian Competition Authority ('BCA') issues another bid rigging decision. This time, the cartel concerned the fire protection sector and involved the Ansul / Somati Fie group and Sicli group.

This cartel lasted from 2009 to 2016. Only the Sicli group was fined for 2.2 million EUR; the Ansul / Somati Fie group was instead granted immunity. Six individuals were granted immunity as well. Sicli’s fine could have been larger, but it received a 50% reduction for cooperating with the authority.

In its press-release the BCA notes that it took into consideration the Ansul / Somati Fie group’s undertaking to compensate its customers for the harm the cartel had caused. It will be interesting to read in the decision how exactly it has taken this into account, in relation to a fine that was subject to a 100% immunity-reduction.

🌐 More info? Read the press release of the BCA (EN NL FR) via the following link.

👋 Want to learn more about what you can and cannot agree with your competitors or about immunity? Feel free to reach out to your usual contact person at contrast.

#competitionlaw #antitrust #cartelenforcement #compliance #bidrigging #contrastupdate