The Greek Competition Authority has announced a prioritized examination and assignment of a case regarding potential anti-competitive practices in the pet food supply market for pets, specifically dogs and cats.

This case is part of an ex officio investigation into the import, production, wholesale, and retail markets of pet food, aimed at identifying any anti-competitive practices related to vertical agreements. The investigation will assess compliance with Article 1 of Law 3949/2011 and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The legal framework mandates that the Competition Authority ensures the proper functioning of the free market by enforcing competition rules under Law 3959/2011 and Articles 101/102 TFEU. These laws prohibit agreements between businesses that restrict competition.

The assignment of a case to a rapporteur initiates the deadlines for decision-making as per paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 15 of Law 3959/2011. However, it does not pre-determine the content of the rapporteur's recommendation or the final decision of the Competition Authority. The legal deadlines are indicative, and the duration of each case's examination will depend on its complexity, the volume of the administrative file, and the number of businesses involved and their level of cooperation.