• UOKiK conducted a search at the premises of two undertakings involved in the distribution of sports gear.
• The search was a part of the explanatory proceedings intended to verify whether a collusion occurred.
• This is already the sixth search this year.

“The search began on 15 May in the course of the explanatory proceedings. We spent four days at the undertakings’ premises to verify whether an agreement restricting competition occurred on the sports gear market” - says the president of UOKiK, Marek Niechciał.

Their practices might have breached both Polish and EU law. An undertaking involved in an agreement restricting competition may be imposed with a fine of up to 10 percent of sales. The explanatory proceedings are the first stage of UOKiK's procedure, and currently they are conducted on the case, not against any undertaking.

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection may use a variety of measures in order to gather evidence of unlawful practices. One of the most effective among those measures is a search of the undertaking’s premises. UOKiK conducts a search of the undertaking's premises when it is suspected that the entity is in possession of significant evidence.
A search may only be conducted upon court authorisation and, usually, is performed with the assistance of Police officers. Then, the undertaking is obliged to grant the inspectors access to its buildings and premises and make all documents and data carriers available. Since the beginning of the year, UOKiK has conducted six searches as part of its proceedings.

The leniency programme offers the undertaking involved in an illegal agreement an opportunity to avoid a fine or have it reduced. It is applicable to those who agree to cooperate with UOKiK and provide evidence or information on the illegal agreement. We encourage undertakings interested in the leniency programme to contact UOKiK. By calling 22 55 60 555 you will be able to talk to UOKiK lawyers, who will answer all your questions, also anonymous ones, related to the leniency applications.

If you are aware of any illegal agreements, please report them to UOKiK. The Authority runs a programme of acquiring information from anonymous whistle-blowers. Please contact us by phone: 22 55 60 500 or email us at sygnalista@uokik.gov.pl.You may find all the information on the whistle-blower programme on the following website: konkurencja.uokik.gov.pl.

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office 
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa
Phone: 695 902 088; 22 55 60 430
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl

Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL