Division (10)

Whilst there are indications that the first anti-competitive contacts between the UK producers of fittings occurred prior to 1988, evidence in the possession of the Commission demonstrates on a solid and lasting basis that December 1988 was the starting date of the infringement. On this basis the Commission considered that the collusive arrangements started in the UK among UK manufacturers on 31 December 1988. As to the behaviour of fittings manufacturers at pan-European level, due to the loose form and exploratory nature of contacts before January 1991, the Commission limited its assessment under competition rules to the period from 31 January 1991, date of the first ‘Super-EFMA’ meeting, when the competitors agreed on prices and when the pan-European arrangements were evidenced as an organised and structured scheme.