The Federal Cartel Office is investigating initial breaches of the new regulation that limits gas station operators to raising gasoline prices only once a day at noon. According to a Cartel Office spokesperson speaking to the “Bild” newspaper’s Wednesday edition, the focus of the investigation is primarily on timing violations, specifically late price increases. The authority has therefore initiated corresponding inquiries. The spokesperson added that compliance with the rule is monitored “automatically and continuously using real-time data from the Market Transparency Unit”. Any violations will be “systematically recorded” and passed on to the relevant state authorities. The cases mainly involve “technical adjustment difficulties” and many violations occurred only “very close” to the permitted time limit. The spokesperson also explained that the Federal Cartel Office has formed a new team to oversee the new pricing law, tasked with checking price trends with “high priority”. He clarified that a mere price increase does not constitute a violation of antitrust law; instead, what is crucial is whether the prices can be explained by the oil market or if there are issues with competition.
Economy / Finance
