Suspected anti-competitive conduct in relation to fragrances and fragrance ingredients (51257)
The CMA is investigating suspected anti-competitive behavior in relation to the supply of fragrances and fragrance ingredients under Chapter I CA98.
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| December 2024 | Current investigation ongoing (next update April 2025) |
| January 2024 | Current investigation ongoing and extended to include suspected unlawful coordination by Firmenich International SA, Givaudan SA and International Flavours & Fragrances Inc involving reciprocal arrangements relating to the hiring or recruitment of certain staff involved in the supply of fragrances and/or fragrance ingredients. Next update: Autumn 2024 |
| March 2023 to early 2024 | Initial investigation: information gathering, including issue of formal or informal information requests to parties. CMA analysis and review of information gathered. State of play meetings with parties under investigation |
| March 2023 | Investigation opened |
Businesses under investigation
The businesses under investigation by the CMA are:
- Firmenich International SA
- Givaudan SA
- International Flavours & Fragrances Inc
- Symrise AG
As well as other entities within their corporate groups including UK subsidiaries.
News story: CMA launches investigation into fragrances and fragrance ingredients.
Case information
On 7 March 2023, the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter I of the CA98 into suspected breaches of competition law. The investigation concerns suspected anti-competitive conduct in relation to the supply of fragrances and fragrance ingredients for use in the manufacture of consumer products such as household and personal care products.
In January 2024, the CMA extended the investigation to include suspected unlawful coordination by Firmenich International SA, Givaudan SA and International Flavours & Fragrances Inc involving reciprocal arrangements relating to the hiring or recruitment of certain staff involved in the supply of fragrances and/or fragrance ingredients.
No assumption should be made at this stage that the CA98 has been infringed. The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any of the parties under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections.
If the CMA issues a statement of objections, it will provide the addressee(s) of that statement of objections with an opportunity to make written and oral representations, before it makes a final decision. For more information, visit the CMA’s investigation procedures in CA98 cases.
Personal data
The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, visit the CMA’s Personal Information Charter.
Contacts
For any enquiries relating to this case, please contact:
- Project Director: Christiane Williams (020 3738 6250, christiane.williams@cma.gov.uk)
- Case Officer: Julie Hawes (020 3738 6163, julie.hawes@cma.gov.uk)
- Senior Responsible Officer: Juliette Enser (020 3738 6857, juliette.enser@cma.gov.uk)
Updates to this page
Published 7 March 2023Last updated 2 December 2024 + show all updates
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Case timetable updated
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Case timetable updated.
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Businesses under investigation section added to the page.
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First published.