Big fines for vitamins cartel 

The eight pharmaceutical companies were found guilty of having made agreements on the price of vitamins that are being used in a wide range of products (foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals). The largest fines were imposed on Swiss group Roche (462 million euros) and German BASF (296 million euros). Both companies were according to the Commission's competition authorities at the origin of the cartel. Two years ago, both companies were already convicted in the US for these practices.

French group Aventis (at the time of the facts Rhône-Poulenc) was also involved in the cartel , but was granted full immunity because it helped the Commission with decisive information.

 

Competition CommissionerMario Montisaid that the case was "the most damaging series of cartels the commission has ever investigated".

Rocheis reviewing the European Commission’s decision in order to decide on a possible appeal against the sentence. In a reaction, Roche underlines, that it cooperated with the EU's investigation. It also set up a special world-wide Corporate Training Programme named “Behaviour in Business” "to reinforce its commitment to conducting business in full compliance with all local and international laws".

BASFsaid that it "did not expect such a fine in this amount and ... that it is inappropriately high". The company also underlined that it has taken "measures to rule out violation of antitrust laws in future", amongst them a "Group-wide Compliance Program based on BASF's Values and Principles". BASF might also consider an apeal before the Court.