The companies of the TIMETOACT GROUP have a great interest in compliance with the applicable antitrust and competition regulations, because non-compliance can have serious consequences for the companies. In particular, fines or other forms of fines may be imposed on the company concerned, agreements may be invalid, third parties may be able to claim damages, and there is a risk of reputational damage and negative press if violations of the law become public.
In order to avoid damage to the companies of the TIMETOACT GROUP as a result of antitrust and competition violations, the following must therefore be observed in particular:
The conclusion of agreements of any kind or concerted practices (e.g. informal cooperation) with competitors or with customers that are intended to restrict competition or that have an anti-competitive effect are considered to be violations of antitrust law. Business talks with competitors can also be regarded or interpreted as violations of antitrust law in individual cases. This may be the case in particular in the case of
- agreements to set or control prices (e.g. minimum prices, minimum fees or discounts);
- exchange of information on prices, conditions of sale, discounts and promotion measures;
- agreements on territorial sharing of markets;
- specific invitation to tender;
- agreements on the allocation of customers;
- agreements on the restriction of production or the sale of products;
- agreements to boycott certain business partners or customers;
- Agreements on vertical restraints (e.g. prohibition of passing on discounts).
If a business-related discussion is held with a competitor on one or more of the aforementioned topics, employees should not participate in the discussion or leave the meeting, as meetings of this kind may constitute or at least indicate anti-competitive cooperation.