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ARTICLE · 22 JUNE 2011

Commission Conducts Raids Into Safety Related Car Products

SJ Berwin LLP
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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.

European UnionAntitrust/Competition Law
SJ Berwin'S EU & Competition Team
SJ Berwin'S EU & Competition Team

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.

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