The Council said in a press statement that the anticipation of a certain price that should be charged by a company and its announcement in the market may fall under the provisions of the antitrust law. “Companies must independently establish their pricing policy, depending on their own strategy and the cost structure involved in carrying out the activity, the agreements and / or concerted actions regarding the market behavior being sanctioned by the legislation in the field”.
“It is a difficult and volatile international situation mainly prompted by the economic measures taken to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine. Against this background, we keep watch that some companies should not take advantage of this situation, because a possible unjustified increase in prices can lead to sanctions”, said Bogdan Chirițoiu, President of the Competition Council.
The antitrust authority has imposed multiple sanctions on the fuel market. Thus, six fuel distribution companies (OMV Petrom SA, OMV Petrom Marketing, Rompetrol Downstream SRL, Mol Romania Petroleum Products SRL, ENI Romania SRL and Lukoil Romania SRL) were fined EUR205 million for concluding antitrust agreements, a sanction confirmed by court in 2016.
Three companies engrossed in fuel wholesale (SC Tinmar Ind SA Bucuresti, SC Planoil SRL Bucuresti, SC Planoil Industries SRL Bucuresti) were fined a total RON16,907,202 (almost EUR3.7 million) for concluding an antitrust agreement.
Cars queued at most gas filling stations in Romania on Wednesday evening, with the panic being caused by rumors on social networks about a sudden rise in fuel prices overnight as well as a possible fuel shortage. People did not just rush to refuel, but many of them also came with cans, canisters and dumpsters to stock up.
Romania’s government officials said there are no problems with fuel stocks and the country has no problem with the supply of fuel to petrol stations.
“Romania has no problem with the supply of fuel to petrol stations. Today (Thursday, ed.n.) I had working meetings with representatives of Rompetrol and OMV Petrom which gave assurances that there are sufficient stocks of petroleum products and that deliveries to customers would be ensured. Also, I want to reassure Romanians that they have no reason to panic and queue up. We have enough stocks!”, Popescu said on Thursday.