The Competition Council conducted inspections at large retail chains for possible unfair commercial practices in relation to milk producers.

The Competition Council has launched surprise inspections at the headquarters of six major retail chains, including Metro, Selgros, Auchan, Carrefour, Kaufland, and Mega Image, suspected of unfair commercial practices in the agricultural and food supply chain, especially in their relationships with milk and dairy producers.

These actions were initiated following a study on the milk and dairy products market. Among the suspected irregularities are non-compliance with payment deadlines, imposing shorter termination periods than those legally allowed, applying excessive discounts and rebates, delaying the reception of products, and pressuring suppliers to accept disadvantageous contractual clauses. Law no. 81/2022, which transposes Directive (EU) 2019/633, aims to prevent these practices. The inspections are authorized by the Bucharest Court of Appeal and, in the case of finding any violations, companies can be fined up to 600,000 lei or 1% of their turnover.