Access control and alarm systems: collusive tendering

Office of Fair Trading (OFT) closed Competition Act 1998 case.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 6 December 2013

• Case type: CA98 and civil cartels
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Fire, police and security
• Outcome: CA98 - infringement Chapter II
• Opened: 1 April 2011
• Closed: 6 December 2013

Collusive tendering in relation to the supply and installation of certain access control and alarm systems

Case reference: CA98/03/2013 (CE/9248-10)

On 6 December 2013, the OFT announced that it has issued an Infringement Decision finding that four suppliers of access control and alarm systems to retirement properties have breached competition law. The OFT has found that, between 2005 and 2009, Cirrus Communication Systems Limited (‘Cirrus’), Peter O’Rourke Electrical Limited (‘O’Rourke’), Owens Installations Limited (‘Owens’) and Glyn Jackson Communications Limited (‘Jackson’) engaged in a number of collusive tendering arrangements in relation to the supply and installation of certain access control and alarm systems to retirement properties in the UK. The infringements span different periods for different parties between 2005 and 2009.

Summary of work

In April 2011, the OFT launched a formal investigation into suspected breaches of competition law in relation to the supply and installation of certain access control and alarm systems (not including burglar alarms), in particular in relation to alleged collusive tendering.

On 5 July 2013, the OFT issued a Statement of Objections alleging that certain companies have infringed competition law in relation to the supply and installation of certain access control and alarm systems in the UK. See press release OFT issues Statement of Objections to certain access control and alarm systems companies (5 July 2013).

On 6 December 2013, the OFT announced that it has issued an Infringement Decision finding that four suppliers of access control and alarm systems to retirement properties have breached competition law.

On 17 January 2014, the OFT published the non-confidential version of its Infringement Decision (PDF, 872KB).

Related documents

• Infringement Decision (PDF, 872KB)
• The OFT's response to a number of queries received about its investigation (PDF, 96KB)
• Press release Retirement home security suppliers breached competition law, OFT decides (6 December 2013)
• A list of the 65 tenders which the OFT has found involved collusive tendering (PDF, 97KB)
• Questions and answers (PDF, 52KB)
• Press release OFT issues Statement of Objections to certain access control and alarm systems companies (5 July 2013)

Published 6 December 2013