The European Commission ('Commission') has confirmed that, on 7 June 2011, Commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies that supply car seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels, known in the industry as automotive occupant safety systems.
The Commission states that it has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union).
Automotive occupant safety systems cover safety products such as seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels that are supplied to car manufacturers. As is standard practice, the Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authority.
The Commission has not revealed details of the parties under investigation however Swedish seatbelt and airbag maker Autoliv Inc said that antitrust authorities from the Commission had visited two of its company's facilities in Germany.
The Commission stressed that the fact it has carried out unannounced inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. There is no legal deadline to complete the inquiry.
To view Community Week, Issue 525; 17th June 2011 in full, Click here.
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