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.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 17 August 2016
• Last updated: 20 June 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: CA98 and civil cartels
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Retail and wholesale
• Outcome: CA98 - infringement Chapter I
• Opened: 16 August 2016
• Closed: 20 June 2017

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.

• Non-confidential decision (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)

Published 17 August 2016
Last updated 20 June 2017 + show all updates

1. 20 June 2017

   Non-confidential infringement decision and follow-up compliance work published.

2. 4 May 2017

   Settlement and infringement decision issued.

3. 9 February 2017

   Statement of objections issued and timetable updated.

4. 30 November 2016

   Timetable updated.

5. 17 August 2016

   First published.