Communication
The aim of the protection of market competition is primarily to create benefits for consumers and equal conditions for all entrepreneurs on the market, who, acting in accordance with the existing rules and competing on the market with the quality, price and innovation of their products and services, contribute to the overall development of the economy.
CCA carries out surprise inspection in Split driving schools
In line with its powers under the Croatian Competition Act and after obtaining the warrant of the High Administrative Court of the Republic of Croatia, on 6 May 2024 the Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) carried out the surprise inspection of the business premisses of the undertakings Auto škola Kružni tok and Auto škola Hajduk, that have already been sanctioned for the conclusion of a prohibited agreement (cartel) in 2020.
Please read more about the previous decision here:
https://www.aztn.hr/en/driving-schools-price-fixing-cartel/
In the current case, the Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) opened ex officio infringement proceeding against the driving schools Kružni tok and Hajduk due to indications that these undertakings entered into a price fixing agreement for training candidates for operating motor vehicles in categories A and B. Additionally, there were indications that they had taken other actions indicating sanctioning of driving schools in the Split area that did not agree to participate in the price agreement.
The CCA decided to conduct an unannounced inspection of the business premises of the driving schools Kružni tok and Hajduk due to a well-founded suspicion that evidence of anti-competitive behaviour relating to a prohibited agreement between these undertakings might be found in their business premises and/or with their employees. This inspection was aimed at establishing additional facts and circumstances of the case.
The decision on whether the driving schools in question infringed competition rules by entering into a prohibited agreement to set prices for their services in training candidates for operating motor vehicles in categories A and B, as per Article 8 paragraph 1 of the Competition Act, will be made on the merit of the case according to the established facts of the case.
In this regard, the CCA notes that the mere opening of an infringement proceeding and conducting the unannounced inspection does not prejudice the CCA decision.