Bundeskartellamt's Annual Report 2013
08.07.2014
Today, the President of the Bundeskartellamt, Andreas Mundt, presented the authority’s annual report for 2013. The 40-page booklet provides a concise overview of facts and figures as well as the most important cases in 2013 and the first months of this year.
Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: "The competition principle is a cornerstone of our economic and social order. However, just as in sports, economic competition can only function if there are rules which everyone has to comply with. Imagine the World Cup in Brazil without referees. The same would happen in the free market economy if there were no competition laws and no competition authorities."
In 2013 the Bundeskartellamt concluded twelve cartel proceedings in which it imposed a total of around 240 million euros in fines. The proceedings concerned, inter alia, the private market for railway rails, the milling industry and the markets for consumer goods, drugstore products, and confectionery.
Andreas Mundt: "This year we have already concluded two exceptionally large proceedings, namely the beer cartel and the sugar cartel. We intend to also conclude the sausage cartel proceeding and the vertical proceeding in the food sector before the end of the year."
Fines imposed in 2013: approx. 240 million euros (sectors concerned: private market for railway rails, the milling industry and the markets for consumer goods, drugstore products, and confectionery)
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The Transparency Unit for Fuels has been in operation since September 2013.
Andreas Mundt: "We have succeeded in putting this tool to work in only a few months. It is running smoothly and has met with a great deal of approval. Using the App is worthwhile. Motorists can save a lot of money if they specifically drive to the petrol station offering the best price."
Act on the establishment of a market transparency unit for fuels in force since December 2012 Trial operation starts in September 2013 Regular operation since 1 December 2013
Authorised consumer information services: 113 (as of 8 July 2014) Live consumer information services: 26 (as of 8 July 2014)
- at a petrol station: on average 10 cent (Cologne) and 8 cent (Leipzig) - in a regional market: on average 20 cent (Cologne) and 15 cent (Leipzig)
- On average one increase per day of (average) 9 cent - Most price increases between 8 p.m. and midnight. - On average four price drops per day of (average) 2.5 cent - No specific day of the week with marked deviations - Identifiable pricing patterns where Aral and Shell frequently start increasing prices from 8 p.m., followed by Esso and Total from 9 p.m. and by Jet from 11 p.m. |
One key focus of the Bundeskartellamt's activities is the prosecution of competition restraints in internet sales. With proceedings against companies such as HRS, Amazon and adidas the authority has achieved significant results in this area in the more recent past.
Andreas Mundt: "It goes without saying that manufacturers are allowed to ensure the high-quality distribution of their products. But it is equally important that we keep the internet sales channel open so that small and medium-sized retailers in particular are able to realize their competitive potential and consumers can benefit from it."
The German version of the Annual Report is available for download at the Bundeskartellamt's website. An English version will be available shortly. 