The President of the Polish Competition Authority has initiated an investigation into possible anti-competitive agreements between two companies, Kom-Eko and Koma Lublin, operating in the waste collection and management sector in Lublin. This action follows suspicions of bid rigging in public tenders for waste management services.

According to the authority, there are indications that the two companies may have coordinated their bids, deciding in advance which tenders to participate in and which to avoid. The investigation will focus on tenders that have been issued since March 8, 2018, where it is believed that the companies agreed not to submit competing offers.

Currently, the investigation is exploratory and not directed against specific companies. If the evidence collected during the searches confirms the suspicions, the authority will proceed with formal antitrust proceedings against the implicated parties. Companies found guilty of participating in anti-competitive agreements could face fines of up to 10% of their turnover, while responsible managers could be fined up to 2 million PLN.

The authority has a leniency program that allows companies involved in illegal agreements to reduce or avoid penalties by cooperating as whistleblowers. Interested parties can contact the authority for more information about this program, which also ensures anonymity for whistleblowers reporting anti-competitive practices.