Cartel suspicions on the market of road signaling in Romania

The Competition Council has initiated an investigation regarding a possible anti -competitive understanding on the market for marketing and executing the road signaling works in Romania. The competition authority suspects that three companies would have divided its public procurement procedures, at least starting in 2023, especially in the auctions organized by the National Road Infrastructure Management (CNAIR).

According to a statement sent by the institution, there are indications that the companies Dumava signal SRL, Girod Signal Sir SRL and Gamida EUROMK SRL would have acted concerted to ensure their contracts under less competitive conditions, which would have led to higher costs for the contracting authorities and, implicitly, for taxpayers.

During the investigation, the Competition Council carried out unexpected inspections at the headquarters and work points of the three targeted companies, as well as a road marking supplier, which is not the subject of the investigation. The action was triggered as a result of a complaint filed by Vesta Investment SRL.

The unexpected inspections were authorized by the Bucharest Court of Appeal and aimed to obtain the necessary documents and information to clarify the possible anti -competitive practices. The authority states that the initiation of an investigation and the inspection is not a decision regarding the guilt of the companies involved.

If a violation of the legislation in the field of competition will be found, companies risk fines that can reach up to 10% of their turnover. However, those who collaborate with the competition authority within the leniency program can benefit from immunity to the fine or significant reductions of the sanction.

The Competition Council recalls that it has previously sanctioned four companies involved in tricking auctions for road signaling works, applying fines in a total value of 3.1 million lei. The authority continues to carefully monitor this market, considered essential for road safety and for the good management of public funds.