The optician EssilorLuxottica fined for infringement of competition

The Competition Board imposed an administrative fine on EssilorLuxottica SA for its behavior that hindered and excluded the activities of its competitors in the optical market, but it was decided not to impose an administrative fine on the company, which had previously been fined in this context.

According to the announcement on the website of the Competition Authority, the investigation has been concluded under the accusation that the behavior of EssilorLuxottica SA that complicates and excludes the activities of its competitors in the optical market violates the relevant articles of the Law on Protection of the Competition.

PENALTY GIVEN

As a result of the negotiation of the file by the Competition Board, it was decided that EssilorLuxottica SA violated the commitments made binding with another decision of October 1, 2018, for which an administrative fine was imposed.

In addition, it was concluded that the contracts of EssilorLuxottica SA, in which the ophthalmic lens and the ophthalmic machine are offered together, and other actions in the market create de facto exclusivity, exclude competitors, violate the law with these actions and impose an administrative fine. .

On the other hand, since the company was fined for violating the binding commitments acquired with the decision of October 1, 2018, it was decided that it was not necessary to impose a new administrative fine within the framework of the general principle of law “ne bis in idem ” (there are no two trials for the same fact). (AA)