The Competition Council’s activity intensified considerably in 2025, in the context of an economic and geopolitical environment characterized by complex developments, with significant risks for the functioning of the markets.
“In 2025, we managed to efficiently manage the challenges that arose and to be innovative in approaching cases, by implementing solutions that contributed to strengthening institutional capacity. We analyzed a record number of economic concentrations, some with a high degree of difficulty, we completed complex investigations, including the first investigation on the labor market, and we applied significant sanctions. And at the EU level, we are in first place in terms of the number of cases resolved for possible violations of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. At the same time, we aimed to ensure that the support measures financed from national and European funds comply with community rules and contribute to economic stability,” Bogdan Chiritoiu, President of the competition authority, told a press conference on Feb 2.
ECONOMIC CONCENTRATIONS
In 2025, the Competition Council authorized a record number of 119 transactions, the highest in the past 22 years.
Conditions were imposed in two cases:
– The acquisition of Telekom Romania Mobile Communications S.A. by Digi Romania S.A. and Vodafone Romania S.A.
– The acquisition of the Regina Maria Group (Centrul Medical Unirea SRL) by Mehiläinen Oy.
– In the case of La Cocos stores being acquired by the Schwarz Group, an investigation was launched regarding the compatibility of the transaction with the competitive environment, the first such case in the past eight years.
For the first time, an unannounced inspection was carried out as part of an investigation into the compatibility of an economic concentration with a normal competitive environment.
INVESTIGATIONS COMPLETED – FINES APPLIED
In 2025, 18 investigations were concluded, similar to 2024, with sanctions totaling RON347.4 million. Approximately 56% of this amount represents fines for cartel-type agreements.
A total of 68 entities were sanctioned, 70% of which acknowledged violating competition law.
In 2025, as in 2024, the Competition Council ranked first in the European Union regarding the number of concluded cases concerning potential infringements of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU – Articles 101/102), with a total of 9 cases, followed by Italy (6), France (5), and Germany (5).
Some of the most significant fines include:
– RON163.71 million (EUR32.15 million) – eight companies (Alten Si-Techno Romania SRL, Akkodis Romania SRL, Automobile-Dacia SA, Bertrandt Engineering Technologies Romania SRL, Expleo Romania SRL, FEV ECE Automotive SRL, Renault Technologie Roumanie SRL, and Segula Technologies Romania SRL) for participating in an anticompetitive agreement to divide the labor market, limiting employee mobility and keeping labor costs low. This was the first investigation in the labor market.
– RON135.2 million (EUR26.6 million) – Philip Morris Trading SRL, Interbrands Orbico SRL, and Mediaposte Hit Mail SA for participating in anticompetitive agreements in the heated tobacco products market.
– RON14.73 million (EUR2.9 million) – 25 auto repair services and two insurance companies for participating in an agreement in the vehicle maintenance and repair services market in Romania.
– RON8.29 million (EUR1.66 million) – Oyl Company Holding AG SRL, Autoprima Serv SRL, and Saga Infrastructură SRL for bid-rigging in tenders organized by the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR) via DRDP Constanta in the road maintenance sector.
– RON4.55 million (EUR915,068) – Thelios SpA for participating, alongside its partner Shades Originators SRL, in an anticompetitive agreement in the luxury eyewear market in Romania.
INVESTIGATIONS LAUNCHED
In 2025, 14 investigations were launched, maintaining the 2024 trend, in fields such as automotive, road signaling, IT service procurement, and tenders for medical products and equipment used in epidemic prevention.
Of the total investigations opened, 50% relate to possible agreements between companies.
ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS
At the end of 2025, the Competition Authority had 46 ongoing investigations, 74% of which involved agreements between companies.
UNFAIR COMPETITION
Unannounced inspections were carried out at the headquarters of six major retail chains (Auchan, Metro, Carrefour, Kaufland, Mega Image, and Selgros) as part of in-depth investigations regarding compliance with Law no. 81/2022 on unfair commercial practices in the agricultural and food supply chain, particularly in relations with milk and dairy producers.
UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS
In 2025, a record 21 unannounced inspections were conducted, covering 52 offices/worksites.
RELATIONSHIP WITH COURTS
Court outcomes remain in line with previous years: 90% of Supreme Court of Justice (ICCJ) rulings favored the Competition Council. Furthermore, the court upheld 95% of contested fines, and the Bucharest Court of Appeal upheld 97%.
STATE AID
The Competition Authority focused on drafting and approving, at the European level, support measures funded by both European (including PNRR) and national funds, totaling over 50.6 billion RON. This included involvement in the rehabilitation of Bucharest’s heating system and cases concerning companies such as CEC Bank, Exim Banca Romanească SA, Tarom, and Complexul Energetic Oltenia.
LEGISLATION, OPINIONS, AND GUIDANCE
In 2025, the Competition Council issued approximately 350 opinions, statements, and responses regarding state aid and competition.
Areas of involvement included:
RCA – recommendations regarding the expiration of the price cap scheme.
Passenger road transport – clarifications to ensure uniform and predictable enforcement of regulations.
Energy – analysis of regulations on protecting vulnerable consumers in the context of energy poverty.
PNRR – assisting authorities in aligning support schemes with the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), de minimis rules, and avoiding overlaps in funding schemes.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND PROJECTS
In 2025, the Competition Council maintained a strong international presence, participating in meetings of European and international institutions and contributing to the work of the European Competition Network and the OECD Competition Committee.
The authority coordinated European projects on combating bid-rigging in public procurement and provided technical assistance to competition authorities in Moldova and Ukraine, strengthening regional cooperation and administrative capacity in competition enforcement.
It completed a project on reforming the licensing regime for commercial and service activities, conducted in partnership with the OECD and funded by the European Commission. The project (2023–2025) continues initiatives started with the establishment of the Industrial Licensing Office, aimed at simplifying administrative requirements and digitizing procedures for issuing licenses/permits for economic activities.