MEMO/08/783
Brussels, 11th December 2008
Antitrust: Commission confirms sending Statement of Objections to alleged participants in power transformers cartel
The European Commission can confirm that it has sent a Statement of Objections to a number of producers of power transformers, concerning their alleged participation in a cartel in violation of EU rules on restrictive business practices (Article 81 of the EC Treaty and Article 53 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area).
Power transformers are major electrical components whose function is to reduce or to increase the voltage in an electrical circuit. They are therefore key constituent components in electricity transmission and distribution networks.
Procedural background
A Statement of Objections is a formal step in Commission antitrust investigations in which the Commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them. The addressee of a Statement of Objections can reply in writing to the Statement of Objections, setting out all facts known to it which are relevant to its defence against the objections raised by the Commission. The party may also request an oral hearing to present its comments on the case.
The Commission may then take a decision on whether the conduct addressed in the Statement of Objections is compatible or not with the EC Treaty's antitrust rules. Sending a Statement of Objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the procedure.
