THE COMMISSION CONDUCTED INSPECTIONS IN THE OFFICES OF RETAILERS OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

On January 28, 2025, the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) conducted unannounced inspections at the premises of leading traders of specialized equipment and machinery.

The inspections were carried out after the initiation of an ongoing procedure aimed at establishing whether an infringement has been committed by various companies participating in the market of specialized equipment, specifically concerning the manipulation of public procurement for delivery and/or other activities related to specialized equipment for the needs of different contracting authorities.
The on-site actions were carried out by CPC experts with the assistance of Ministry of Interior (MVR) employees, following a judicial permit granted by the Administrative Court of Sofia Region.

If the Commission finds sufficient evidence to send a Statement of Objections to the concerned parties, they will have the opportunity to exercise their right to defence by accessing the collected materials and evidence, presenting their objections, and being heard by the CPC, if they explicitly request this. After the procedural actions in the case are completed, the CPC will adopt a final decision on the case.

The duration of the investigation concerning administrative cases on anti-competitive behaviour of the parties is not bound by a legally established timeframe, as it depends on a variety of factors, including the factual and legal complexity of each specific case, the level of cooperation from the companies under investigation, and others.

Pursuant to Article 101 of the Law on protection of Competition, the CPC may grand an immunity from fines to the first undertaking in line that discloses its participation in the cartel and provides evidence on the basis of which the Commission can prove the infringement. The CPC may reduce the fine for the second and subsequent undertakings in line if they provide evidence which is essential to prove the infringement. The conditions for immunity or reduction are part of the Policy of the Commission for protection of competition on immunity from fines or reduction of fines in case of participation of an undertaking in a secret cartel, published at https://www.cpc.bg/prohibited-agreements#tab-2