Post by account_disabled on Mar 13, 2024 23:07:40 GMT -5
The Court of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) approved the Cessation Commitment Term (TCC) with AleSat Combustíveis. The agreement was signed within the scope of an administrative proceeding that investigates alleged cartel formation practices, influence of uniform commercial conduct and fixing of resale prices in the automotive fuel distribution and resale markets in Belo Horizonte and neighboring municipalities.
The case began to be investigated by the extinct B2B Lead Secretariat of Economic Law, which found evidence that those represented had organized themselves to fix and standardize prices, with the aim of increasing profits and eliminating competition. The practices would have occurred, at least, between 2006 and 2008.
This is the first agreement signed between Cade and a distributor in investigations involving anti-competitive conduct in the fuel market. Through the TCC, AleSat recognizes the existence of concerted conduct between distributors, the influence of uniform conduct and the exchange of sensitive information within the scope of the process.
With the signing of the agreement, the company undertakes to cease anti-competitive conduct and to collect R$48.6 million as a monetary contribution. Furthermore, AleSat must cooperate with the investigations and present to Cade any document, information or other type of material that may be related to the case.
The process will be suspended in relation to the signatory of the TCC, until full compliance with the expected obligations.
Agreements signed in the process
In 2017, Cade signed five TCCs with others investigated in the alleged cartel. Cash contributions totaling more than R$13 million were stipulated.
The agreements were signed with the Petroleum Derivatives Retail Trade Union of the State of Minas Gerais (Minaspetro), CCA Comercial de Combustíveis Automotivos, Organizações Novo Belvedere, Posto Mangabeiras, Posto Aeroporto, Posto Buritis, Posto de Combustível Lubrimil Ltda, Posto Grajaú Ltda, Posto Mustang Ltda, Posto Ouro Fino Ltda, Posto Parada Obrigatória Ltda, Posto Ponte Nova and Posto Trovão, in addition to five individuals. With information from Cade’s Press Office.