Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 12 July 2018

Agreements, decisions and concerted practicesAdverse effect on competitionCriteria for assessmentAgreement to protect European producers on their territory from real or potential competition from foreign producersSufficient finding in the absence of insurmountable barriers to entry to the European market for those foreign producers

(Art. 101(1) TFEU)

(see paras 34-44)

Agreements, decisions and concerted practicesProhibitionInfringementsAgreements and concerted practices constituting a single infringementAttribution of liability for the entire infringement to a single undertakingConditionsUnlawful practices and conduct forming part of an overall planAssessmentCriteriaContribution to the single objective of the infringement

(Art. 101(1) TFEU)

(see paras 51-55)

Agreements, decisions and concerted practicesAgreements between undertakingsMeaningParticipation in meetings having an anti-competitive objectIncludedConditionUndertaking concerned not distancing itself from the decisions adoptedCriteria for assessment

(Art. 101(1) TFEU)

(see paras 71-77)

Agreements, decisions and concerted practicesProhibitionInfringementsJustificationThreats and pressure exerted on an undertakingIrrelevant

(Art. 101(1) TFEU)

(see para. 78)

CompetitionAdministrative procedureCommission decision finding an infringementBurden of proving the infringement and its duration on the CommissionExtent of the burden of proofEvidence of the cessation of the infringement

(Art. 101(1) TFEU)

(see paras 84-98)

CompetitionFinesAssessment by reference to the individual conduct of the undertakingIrrelevant that no sanction brought against another economic operatorNoneCompliance with the principle of equal treatment having to be reconciled with the principle of legality

(Art. 101(1) TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(2))

(see paras 106-110)

CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationDetermination of the basic amountDetermination of the value of salesSales carried out in direct or indirect relation to the infringementAccount taken of sales made globally in order to reflect the relative weight of each undertaking in the infringementRespect for the principles of proportionality and equal treatment

(Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(2) and (3); Commission notice 2006/C 210/02, points 13 and 18)

(see paras 117-126, 130-138)

CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationDetermination of the basic amountGravity of the infringement Entry fee Factors to be taken into consideration

(Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(2) and (3); Commission notice 2006/C 210/02, points 20 to 23 and 25)

(see paras 144-153)

CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationAdjustment of the basic amountMitigating circumstancesConduct deviating from that agreed within the cartel

(Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(2) and (3); Commission notice 2006/C 210/02, point 29)

(see para. 172)

CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationAdjustment of the basic amountMitigating circumstancesThreats and pressure exerted on an undertakingNot included

(Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(2) and (3); Commission notice 2006/C 210/02, point 29)

(see paras 173-176)

Re:

Application under Article 263 TFEU for the annulment of Commission Decision C(2014) 2139 final of 2 April 2014 relating to a proceeding under Article 101 TFEU and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case AT.39610 — Power cables) in so far as it concerns the applicant, and, in the alternative, a reduction of the fine imposed on the applicant.

Operative part

The Court:

Dismisses the action;

Orders Taihan Electric Wire Co. Ltd to pay the costs.