The Chairman of the Office for the Protection of Competition Terminated the Proceedings with the undertaking NET4GAS Because of the Favourability of the Subsequent Legislation
In January 2021, NET4GAS was fined via first-instance decision CZK 10 million for abuse of its dominant position in the market of natural gas transportation services in the Czech Republic. Specifically, the case concerned unfavourable contractual conditions for the undertaking SPP Storage concerning the connection of the Dolní Bojanovice gas storage facility to the natural gas transmission system in the Czech Republic operated by NET4GAS.
In the second-instance decision, the Chairman of the Office stated that the conduct in question could no longer be considered as an infringement of the Act on the Protection of Competition or Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as the Energy Act had been amended in the meantime. As a result of this amendment, the claims made by the party to the proceedings against SPP Storage now correspond to the obligations imposed on gas storage facility operators by the mandatory provisions of the Energy Act. The imposition of such requirements cannot be considered as conduct incompatible with the competition rules, and, therefore, does not constitute an infringement thereof.
Press Unit of the Office for the Protection of Competition
22/007 – R033/2021
2024-11-19 / Pet Food Supplier VAFO Has to Pay CZK 120 million for Prohibited Resale Price Fixing The Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as “the Office”) imposed a fine of CZK 120,121,000 on the undertaking VAFO PRAHA (hereinafter referred to as "VAFO") for the...
2024-10-16 / The Office is Conducting a Dawn Raid at the Premises of the Undertaking Seznam.cz Following numerous media inquiries, we confirm that the Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as “the Office“) is conducting an unannounced inspection of Seznam.cz
2024-10-01 / Merger of PPF Group and Nordic Telecom May Take Place Subject to Commitments The Office for the Protection of Competition has cleared the merger by its final decision, as a result of which PPF TMT Holdco 2 B.V. may acquire, through O2 Czech Republic a.s., sole control over Nordic...
2024-09-16 / The 2024 St. Martin's Conference Program Will Offer a new Competition Tool and Private Enforcement The Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as "the Office") is preparing the 17th annual St. Martin Conference on trends, news and hot topics in the field of competition. The...
2024-07-11 / English Version of Annual Report 2023 published The Office for the Protection of Competition presents the English version of its annual report for the year 2023, summarising the results of its activities in all areas of its competence, i.e., in the...
2024-06-19 / Office for the Protection of Competition Cooperates with European Public Prosecutor's Office Today in Luxembourg, Mr Petr Mlsna, the Chairman of the Office for the Protection of Competition, signed an agreement with the European chief prosecutor, Ms Laura Codruţa Kövesi, on cooperation between...
2024-05-09 / The Office Revealed and Punished Another Cartel Agreement between Construction Companies The Office for the Protection of Competition imposed fines totalling CZK 7,442,000 on the construction companies B.H.S. BOHEMIA, a.s., SEŽEV facility s.r.o., COMMODUM, spol. s r.o. and Hroší stavby...
2024-04-23 / EP ENERGY TRADING Infringed Competition Act by Early Implementation of Merger With Gazela Energy The Office for the Protection of Competition (the Office) imposed a fine of CZK 18,840,000 on the undertaking EP ENERGY TRADING. for concluding a concentration between undertakings prior to the notification...
