Competition (Sweden): Swedish Competition Authority accepts voluntary commitment from Föreningen ackrediterade Laboratorier to remedy concerns relating to its general provisions
- Sweden
- 11/20/2009
- Roschier, Attorneys Ltd. - Sweden
The Swedish Competition Authority (“SCA”) accepted a voluntary commitment offered by Föreningen ackrediterade Laboratorier (“FaL”) (Association of Accredited Laboratories) to amend its general provisions to comply with competition rules. The commitment will be enforced under penalty of a SEK 750 000 fine.
FaL is an association of private laboratory companies active in supplying of analysis services to companies and organizations. According to the SCA’s preliminary assessment, FaL’s general provisions for the laboratory industry contain a clause that may restrict competition. The clause in question contains fixed percentages based on which charges for delay in delivery are determined. The SCA stated that it is important for companies to compete on delay charges, as this may influence the speed of delivery.
The FaL offered a voluntary commitment to amend its general provisions to only recommend that an agreement regarding the delay charges be reached case-by-case. The SCA accepted the commitment stating that it would eliminate any potential negative effect on competition, and thus there are no longer grounds for action. Source: The Swedish Competition Authority (www.kkv.se) 16/11/09
