The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition conducted unannounced local inspections last week at four competitors due to suspicions of cartel agreements in connection with their participation in public procurement procedures.

The companies under investigation operate in the fields of water construction and ecological, landscape, and gardening modifications.

During the inspections, the authority is verifying initial suspicions of possible violations of competition law, specifically the potential commission of prohibited agreements or abuse of dominant positions, and is securing evidence that supports such conduct.

The execution of local inspections does not imply that illegal conduct has actually occurred or that administrative proceedings will be initiated, nor does it guarantee that sanctions will be imposed.