Greece: P&G played dirty in diaper sales, says Competition Commission

According to a press release from the Hellenic Competition Commission, Greece will hear a case regarding allegations that Proctor & Gamble abused its dominant position in the baby diapers and care products market in the nation. The regulator announced it would head the arguments in the early part of this September as a result of issuing a statement of objections to the company, which accuses P&G of colluding to exclude competitors from the baby products market – those collusions, according to the HCC, included mixed bundling rebates and “rebates conditional upon the commitment of excessive shelf space for its products,” in addition to other practices in violation of Greece’s competition laws. Read the full press release below.

Athens, 20 July 2013
PRESS RELEASE

Investigation into alleged infringements of Articles 1 and 2 of Law 703/77, as well as Articles 101 and 102 TFEU, by Procter & Gamble (P&G) in the retail market for baby diapers in Greece

Following the issuing of a statement of objections, the Hellenic Competition Commission will convene in the beginning of September and hear a case of alleged infringements of Articles 1 and 2 of Law 703/77 and of Articles 101 and 102 TFEU (in particular, abuse of a dominant position) in connection with commercial practices employed by P&G with regard to baby diapers and related baby care products in Greece.

According to the statement of objections, P&G has adopted and implemented during the investigated period 2003 – 2011 abusive practices aimed at maintaining and/or strengthening its dominant position in the market for baby diapers, thereby excluding competitors and limiting their growth possibilities. The alleged abusive conduct included, inter alia, individualized target rebates, mixed bundling rebates, rebates conditional upon the commitment of excessive shelf space for its products, as well as the imposition of unfair trading conditions.

The issuing of a statement of objections does not prejudge the existence of an infringement. The Hellenic Competition Commission will decide upon the case, taking into account all relevant facts and after hearing all implicated parties.

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