• Four dawn raids since the beginning of the year.
• UOKiK has inspected distributors of photographic equipment, compressors, vehicles and components as well as marketing agencies.
• Taking part in an illegal agreement may involve a fine of up to 10 percent of the sales.

Since the beginning of the year, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has carried out four searches under its preliminary investigation procedure. We suspect that the entrepreneurs have entered into anti-competitive agreements. The Office's inspectors have reviewed documents, computer and telephone data and heard explanations from managers and sales executives. The searches were carried out in 11 locations and affected four sectors: distribution of photographic equipment, distribution of compressors, sales of trucks and truck components, and branding and marketing agencies. Taking part in a competition-restricting agreement may involve a fine of up to 10 percent of the company's sales. Company managers who allow for collusion to take place face a fine of up to PLN 2 million.

"In the first quarter we verified reports that may indicate potential collusion. Our employees are inspecting whether competition could have been limited on four different markets. If our suspicions are confirmed, we will apply sanctions allowed by the law. Achieving 'successes' in business by breaking the law must not be profitable," says Marek Niechciał, the President of UOKiK.

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection may use a variety of measures in order to gather evidence of unlawful practices. One of the most effective among those measures is conducting a search of the entrepreneur’s premises.

"Collecting evidence in an anti-trust case constitutes the first stage of the proceedings. It does not always have to involve sanctions for the company taking part in an illegal agreements. A leniency programme might be offered to those who assist the UOKiK. Under the programme, we can drop the financial penalties or reduce them," explains Marek Niechciał, the President of UOKiK.

The Office conducts searches of the company's premises when it is suspected that the entity is in possession of significant evidence. It may only be conducted upon court authorisation. In the course of the search, the company must grant the inspectors access to its buildings and premises and make all documents and data carriers available. The search is usually conducted in the presence of police officers.          

The leniency programme offers the company that took part in an illegal agreement an opportunity to avoid a financial penalty or have it reduced. It is applicable to those who agree to cooperate with the UOKiK and provide evidence or information on the illegal agreement. We encourage companies interested in the leniency programme to contact the Office. By calling 48 22 55 60 555 you will be able to talk to UOKiK lawyers, who will answer all your questions related to the leniency applications, including anonymous questions.

If you are aware of any illegal agreements, please report them to UOKiK. In April, the Office launched a programme of acquiring information from anonymous whistleblowers. Make an anonymous contact with the UOKiK at 48 22 55 60 500 or [SCODE]c3lnbmFsaXN0YUB1b2tpay5nb3YucGw=[ECODE].

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office 
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone: 695 902 088; 22 55 60 430
E-mail: [SCODE]Yml1cm9wcmFzb3dlQHVva2lrLmdvdi5wbA==[ECODE]
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL