Competition: The EFTA Surveillance Authority carries out unannounced antitrust inspection

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) is carrying out an unannounced antitrust inspection connected to a specific retail market in Iceland.

ESA has concerns that EEA antitrust rules may have been violated.

ESA officials are accompanied by their counterparts from the Icelandic competition authority (Samkeppniseftirlitið).

Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step in investigations into suspected anticompetitive practices. The fact that ESA carries out such inspections does not mean that a company is guilty of anticompetitive behaviour; nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.

There is no predefined timeline for completing inquiries into anticompetitive conduct. The duration of the investigation depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which companies concerned cooperate with ESA and the exercise of their rights of defence.