Light fittings sector: anti-competitive practices
The CMA investigated suspected anti-competitive agreements between a supplier of light fittings and its resellers under Chapter I CA98 and/or Article 101 TFEU.
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 20 June 2017 | Publication of non-confidential version of infringement decision and warning letters issued to a number of suppliers |
| 3 May 2017 | Final infringement decision issued to party |
| April 2017 | Party offered to settle investigation with CMA |
| February 2017 | Statement of objections issued |
| November 2016 | Decision taken to continue with the investigation (further update by February 2017) |
| August 2016 to November 2016 (estimate) | Initial investigation: information gathering, including issuing formal or informal information requests and receipt of parties’ responses. CMA analysis and review of parties’ responses to information requests |
| 16 August 2016 | Investigation opened |
Non-confidential infringement decision and follow-up compliance work
20 June 2017: The CMA has published a non-confidential version of the decision in this case, in which The National Lighting Company Limited (NLC) was fined £2.7 million for breaking competition law. The CMA has also sent a number of warning letters to other suppliers in the light fittings sector where there are reasonable grounds to suspect they may also be engaging in resale price maintenance (RPM).
The CMA has published advice to help businesses understand more about illegal RPM practices and compliance with competition law.
- (PDF, 1.5 MB) (20.6.17)
- Press release: Lighting company fined £2.7 million for restricting online prices (20.6.17)
Settlement and infringement decision
On 3 May 2017, the CMA issued a decision finding that The National Lighting Company Limited and its subsidiaries Saxby Lighting Limited, Endon Lighting Limited and Poole Lighting Limited infringed competition law and imposed a fine. The fine includes a discount to reflect savings due to the company’s admissions and its co-operation with the CMA under a settlement agreement.
Statement of objections
9 February 2017: The CMA issued a statement of objections alleging that a supplier of domestic light fittings has breached competition law through online resale price maintenance.
- Press release: CMA challenges lighting company’s pricing restrictions
Contacts
Assistant project director
Amanda Adams (0203 738 6309, amanda.adams@cma.gsi.gov.uk)
Project director
Susan Oxley (0203 738 6365, susan.oxley@cma.gsi.gov.uk)
Senior responsible officer
Ann Pope (0203 738 6786, ann.pope@cma.gsi.gov.uk)
Updates to this page
Last updated 20 June 2017 + show all updates
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Non-confidential infringement decision and follow-up compliance work published.
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Settlement and infringement decision issued.
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Statement of objections issued and timetable updated.
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Timetable updated.
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First published.