62023CJ0029_INF
Judgment of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 4 October 2024 –Ferriera ValsabbiaandValsabbia Investimenti v Commission
(Joined Cases C‑29/23 P and C‑30/23 P)
(Appeal – Competition – Agreements, decisions and concerted practices – Market for concrete reinforcing bars – Decision of the European Commission finding an infringement of Article 65 CS after expiry of the ECSC Treaty on the basis of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 – Decision adopted following the annulment of earlier decisions – Holding of a new hearing attended by the competition authorities of the Member States – Rights of the defence – Principle of sound administration – Requirement of impartiality – Reasonable time – Obligation to state reasons)
1.
Action for annulment – Judgment annulling a measure – Effects – Obligation to adopt implementing measures
(Art. 266 TFEU)
(see paragraph 71)
2.
Competition – Administrative procedure – Observance of the rights of the defence – Hearing of undertakings – Annulment of the decision finding an infringement – Reopening of the procedure at the stage at which the irregularity was found to have occurred – New hearing of undertakings – Scope
(Art. 266 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1/2003; Commission Regulation No 773/2004, Arts 12 and 14)
(see paragraphs 72-78)
3.
Competition – Administrative procedure – Obligations of the Commission – Duty to act within a reasonable time – Infringement – Consequences – Annulment of the decision finding an infringement because of the procedure’s excessive duration – Condition – Harm to the rights of defence of the undertakings concerned
(Arts 101 and 102 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 100, 101, 106, 108)
4.
Agreements, decisions and concerted practices – Prohibition – Infringements – Commission decision finding an infringement and imposing a fine – Decision seeking to punish the unlawful acts and to deter market participants from infringing competition rules
(Art. 101(1) TFEU)
(see paragraphs 117-121)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the appeals;
2.
Orders Ferriera Valsabbia SpA, Valsabbia Investimenti SpA and Alfa Acciai SpA to bear their own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Commission.