Main image: Red Bull/IBTimes UK
The European Commission has confirmed that it has raided an energy drink company in several EU countries, alleging involvement in a cartel and abuse of its dominant position.
The identity of the company has not been disclosed, but Austrian energy drink maker Red Bull has confirmed that its premises have been searched. Based in Fuschl-am-See in western Austria, Red Bull was founded by Dietrich Mateschitz, who passed away in October 2022.
Mateschitz’s son, Mark Mateschitz, now owns Distribution and Marketing GmbH, which owns 49 percent of Red Bull’s shares, with the Thai Yoovidhya family owning the rest.
The European Union acts as a competition watchdog in the 27-country bloc and has the power to impose fines of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover for violating antitrust rules.
The Commission has expressed concern that the inspected company may have breached EU competition rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive trade practices. The Commission also believes that the company may have breached EU competition rules that prohibit the abuse of a dominant position.
It should be noted that the fact that the Commission carries out inspections does not automatically mean that a company is engaged in anti-competitive behaviour, nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.
The length of an investigation depends on several factors, including the complexity of each case, the degree of cooperation of the companies involved with the Commission and the scope of the exercise of the rights of defence. There is no legal deadline for completing investigations into anti-competitive conduct.
As part of a Commission leniency program, companies involved in a secret cartel can receive immunity from fines or significant reductions in fines in exchange for reporting the conduct and cooperating with the Commission in its investigations. Companies found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules can face significant financial fines.
In conclusion, the EU competition authorities have raided a company in the energy drink sector in several EU countries, suspecting the company of being involved in a cartel and abusing its dominant position.
The company’s identity has not been disclosed, but Red Bull has confirmed that the premises have been searched.
Companies found to have violated EU antitrust rules risk significant financial penalties, and as part of a leniency program, companies involved in a secret cartel can receive immunity from fines or significant reductions in fines in exchange for reporting the conduct and cooperating with the Commission throughout the period. his research.
