On 2/6/2022, officials of the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) carried out an unannounced inspection at the premises of an undertaking active in the transport sector, in the context of investigating a possible abuse of dominant position under articles 2 of L. 3959/2011 and 102 of the Treaty for the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). 

Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step in an investigation into suspected anticompetitive practices according to the provisions of L. 3959/2011.

It is noted that such inspections of undertakings may result in the collection of evidence on anti-competitive practices in the investigated market and do not prejudge that the investigated undertakings have engaged in an anti-competitive behavior nor do they prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

Legal framework

The HCC is responsible for enforcing Greek and EU antitrust rules in the Greek territory (Articles 1 and 2 of Greek Law 3959/2011 and Articles 101 and 102 TFEU).
• Article 1 of Law no. 3959/2011 and Article 101 of the TFEU prohibit anticompetitive agreements and decisions of associations of undertakings that prevent, restrict or distort competition.
• Article 2 of Law no. 3959/2011 and Article 102 of the TFEU prohibit the abuse of a dominant position.

The HCC stresses that, acting within its remit, it will intervene as an immediate priority where necessary and will examine any relevant case that is brought to its attention through complaints, applications for leniency, or other sources of information, including its recently launched whistleblowing tool or otherwise, and will impose severe administrative sanctions on undertakings that may engage in anti-competitive practices under the provisions of Law 3959/2011 and 101/102 TFEU.