In the first half of 2026, the Latvian Competition Authority (Konkurences padome) intensified its efforts to strengthen competition oversight in Latvia, concluding three significant competition law violation cases and imposing fines exceeding 700,000 euros. During this period, the authority also completed two market studies, evaluated 22 merger transactions, and continued developing new digital solutions for more effective detection of competition violations.

The authority's chairperson, Ieva Šmite, emphasized that the KP is effectively monitoring competition law and increasingly utilizing various digital tools in its work. The main focus remains on ensuring a fair competitive environment.

In the first half of the year, KP concluded five investigations into competition law violations, including two cases of abuse of dominance and one case of a prohibited vertical agreement. Notably, for the first time, the authority took action against a digital platform for abusing its dominant position, imposing a fine of over 180,000 euros on SIA 'SS' and requiring the establishment of clear cooperation criteria for clients.

Additionally, KP identified abuse of dominance by SIA 'Burde B.V.', which charged excessively high prices for radar software licenses to the Road Traffic Safety Directorate, resulting in a fine of over 24,000 euros. A significant case involved a prohibited vertical agreement in the distribution of JURA coffee machines, leading to a total fine of 512,100 euros for the involved companies.

KP also addressed procedural violations by ABSocial SIA and SIA 'Rīgas memoriālais centrs', imposing a joint fine of over 9,000 euros for non-cooperation during procedural activities. Furthermore, the authority evaluated compliance with previous obligations set for AS 'Latvenergo' and prepared nine assessments for public procurement regarding potential signs of prohibited agreements.

Alongside enforcement actions, KP continued its 'Consult First' principle, preventing potential competition restrictions in less significant cases without formal proceedings. In the first half of the year, 15 preventive procedures were implemented, warning 68 legal entities.

KP significantly expanded data-driven monitoring of market participants during the review period. Using merger monitoring tools, the authority assessed the need for merger notifications in two cases, achieving an administrative agreement to restore competition in the pharmaceutical retail market before formal procedures were initiated.

KP also conducted in-depth market studies on competition conditions in the healthcare services sector and the banking sector, identifying systemic risks affecting service availability and competition. Recommendations were made to improve healthcare tariffs and enhance transparency in public funding allocation.

In the first half of 2026, KP made 22 decisions on merger cases, more than double the number from the same period last year. Three cases underwent in-depth review in tourism, fuel retail, and beverage production markets.

KP organized two press conferences and published over 70 press releases to inform the public about its activities, reaching an audience of approximately 4,000 participants through seminars and conferences.