The Romanian Competition Council has carried out unannounced inspections at the headquarters and operational sites of three companies suspected of colluding to divide public procurement procedures. These procedures concern the sale and execution of road signage works, particularly those organized by the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR), starting in 2023.
According to information available on the official Facebook page of the Competition Council, there are indications that these companies may be attempting to secure contracts through less competitive means. Such practices could lead to increased costs for customers, negatively impacting the budgets allocated for road infrastructure.
Surprise inspections are a common measure used by authorities to identify and document potential breaches of competition law. If these suspicions are confirmed, the companies involved risk severe sanctions under the legal provisions governing unfair competition.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Competition Council continues to closely monitor the situation to ensure compliance with the principles of a free and fair market. Additional details will be communicated as the inquiry progresses.