Spain: CNMC fines railway materials cartel; seeks to ban infractors from public contracts

Spain’s National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) announced it has asked the Government and its Administration not to award public works contracts to a group of fifteen companies, which the agency has fined for €118 million (US$132.2 million) over their forming a triple cartel, affecting more than 200 railway projects.

It is the first time that the CNMC has resorted to its power to prohibit contracting with the Administration, while the fine imposed on the 15 companies is already the second largest in the history of the regulator.

The companies sanctioned include Cobra and Semi, both of the ACS group, which face the highest fines of €27.20 million and €16.4 million (US$30.2 million and US$18.4 million), respectively, as well as Elecnor, fined €20.35 million (US$22.8 million) , Siemens (€16.80 million (US$18.8 million)), Inabensa (€11.56 million (US$12.9 million)), and Alstom (€8.83 million (US$9.9 million)). Also fined were Cymi, Isolux, Electren, Comsa, Indra, Neopul (Sacyr), Telice, EyM (OHL), and Citracc, in these cases with fines ranging between €4.22 million and €385.067(US$4.7 million and US$431.33).