Philips, Samsung, Metro offices raided by EU inspectors

The Commission said last week that it had raided several companies involved in making and selling consumer electronics and small domestic appliances. The authorities were concerned that the firms had worked together to limit the sale of some goods online to drive up their prices. Several media reports suggest that Philips, Samsung and Metro-Saturn were subjects in the raids. The EU antitrust regulator can fine companies up to 10 percent of their global revenue for breaking EU rules. All three companies said they were cooperating with the EU authorities, but declined any further comment.

EDITOR'S NOTE_ The announcement by the EC: The European Commission can confirm that on 3 December 2013, Commission officials initiated unannounced inspections in several Member States at the premises of a number of companies active in the manufacture, distribution and retail of consumer electronics products and small domestic appliances. The Commission has concerns that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit anticompetitive agreements or concerted practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union - TFEU).