Investigation into possible collusion in municipal waste tenders in Lublin

The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has launched an investigation into a potential anti-competitive agreement between companies operating in the municipal waste collection and management market in Lublin. Officials from UOKiK, supported by the police, conducted searches at the premises of Kom-Eko and Koma Lublin as part of the investigation.

According to a statement by UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny, the office obtained information suggesting that the two companies may have coordinated their participation in public tenders. The allegations concern agreements on which tenders, or specific parts of tenders, the companies would submit bids for, and which they would avoid, possibly to limit competition.

“There are indications that the bids submitted by both companies in recent tenders may have been coordinated. We are currently analysing the evidence gathered during the searches,” said Chróstny.

The investigation focuses on tender procedures for waste collection and management services in Lublin dating back to 8 March 2018. The suspected conduct involves dividing tender opportunities between the companies, with each operating within a prearranged scope.

Currently, the investigation is being conducted regarding the situation and not against specific companies. Should the evidence confirm the suspicions, UOKiK may initiate formal antitrust proceedings and bring charges against individual entities. Participation in a competition-restricting agreement can result in financial penalties of up to 10% of a company’s turnover. Additionally, managers responsible for participating in collusion could face fines of up to PLN 2 million.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to review the collected materials.