The Competition Council has launched an investigation into possible violations of industry rules by Edenred Romania, Sodexo Pass Romania and Up Romania in the ticketing and ticketing market, the agency said on Thursday.

• “The competition authority has indications that Edenred Romania, Sodexo Pass Romania and Up Romania coordinated their behavior in certain auctions in which they participated, as well as in setting the level of voucher redemption commissions charged to affiliated stores.
• Thus, there are suspicions that the three companies agreed not only on the establishment of sale and purchase prices and other terms of sale of tickets, but also on the distribution of the market for services for their issuance and sale,” the Competition Council claims.

In this context, the Competition Council carried out unannounced inspections at the headquarters of the companies under investigation, Edenred Romania SRL, Sodexo Pass Romania SRL and UP Romania SRL, as well as at the headquarters of the Professional Association of Ticket Issuers and the Association of the Council of Romanian issuers of electronic tickets.

What fines do companies risk if found guilty?

If the Competition Council finds a violation of the competition rules, the companies involved face a fine of up to 10% of the turnover. However, companies that cooperate with the antitrust agency can receive immunity from fines or a significant reduction in fines under the leniency program.

Unannounced inspections are authorized by the Bucharest Court of Appeal and are justified by the need to obtain all the information and documents necessary to clarify the possible anti-competitive practices being analyzed. Their compilation is not a preliminary conviction of the guilt of the companies.

The Competition Law prohibits any agreements between companies and concerted practices that prevent, restrict or distort competition in the Romanian market.