Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 4 September 2024

Data

Court: General Court

Case date: 4 september 2024

Verdict

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 4 September 2024 –
Conserve Italia and Conserves France v Commission

(Case T‑59/22)⁽¹⁾

"(Competition - Agreements, decisions and concerted practices - Market for canned vegetables - Decision finding an infringement of Article 101 TFEU - Gravity and duration of the infringement - Fine - Basic amount - Additional amount for deterrence - Legal upper limit of the fine - Concept of an undertaking - Concept of an association of undertakings - Relevant turnover - Article 23(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 - 2006 Guidelines on the method of setting fines)"

1. CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationComplex economic assessmentCommission’s margin of discretionJudicial reviewReview of legalityScope

(Art. 263 TFEU)

(see paragraphs 14 and 15)

2. CompetitionEU rulesUndertakingConceptExercise of an economic activityConceptCooperative company engaged in an economic activityIncludedMutualistic nature of that companyIrrelevant

(Arts 101 and 102 TFEU; Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(2), second subpara.)

(see paragraphs 29, 30, 37-40)

3. CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationMaximum amountCalculationTurnover to be taken into considerationTurnover of all the undertakings constituting an association of undertakingsWhether permissibleConditions

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

(see paragraph 48)

4. CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationDetermination of the basic amountDetermination of the value of salesSales carried out in direct or indirect relation to the infringementTaking into consideration sales carried out outside the territorial scope of the anti-competitive agreement because of a general policy of non-aggression throughout the territory of the European Economic AreaWhether permissible

(Art. 101 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(3); Commission Notice 2006/C 210/02, point 13)

(see paragraphs 57-64)

5. CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationDetermination of the basic amountGravity of the infringementCriteria for assessmentNature of the infringementHorizontal cartel concerning pricesInherent seriousness of such an offence justifying the application of a high gravity factor

(Art. 101 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(3); Commission Notice 2006/C 210/02, points 19 to 23)

(see paragraphs 71-81)

6. CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationDetermination of the basic amountDuration of the infringementTaking into consideration the duration of the agreement without regard for the actual implementation of that agreementWhether permissible

(Art. 101 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(3); Commission Notice 2006/C 210/02, point 24)

(see paragraphs 89-100)

7. CompetitionFinesAmountDeterminationDetermination of the basic amountGravity of the infringement Entry fee Very serious infringementInclusion of an additional amount under the Guidelines on the method of setting finesWhether permissible

(Art. 101 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003, Art. 23(3); Commission Notice 2006/C 210/02, point 25)

(see paragraphs 104-113)

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Conserve Italia – Consorzio Italiano fra cooperative agricole Soc. coop. agr. and Conserves France to pay the costs, including those relating to the proceedings for interim relief.