On 14th September 2016, the Supreme Court confirmed the Competition Council’s of Latvia (the CC) decision to impose the only natural gas supplier in Latvia – AS „Latvijas Gāze” – remedies to change the practice of debt collection and a fine in the amount of 2.2 million euros for abusing the dominant position.
In 2013, the CC stated that AS „Latvijas Gāze” has abused its dominant position by refusing to conclude natural gas vendor contracts with new customers before debts accumulated by previous customers were paid. In order to restore the conditions of fair competition, the CC imposed remedies on AS „Latvijas Gāze” to cease unlawful activities and a fine at the amount of 2 229 896,24 euros.
The CC decision was confirmed by the Administrative Regional Court on 2nd September 2015. AS „Latvijas Gāze” went for an appeal at the Supreme Court, but this appeal was rejected on 14th September 2016 thus the CC decision is final and binding.
More information on the infringement: https://goo.gl/jlzM4w.
For media inquiries
Mr Toms Noviks
Head of Communication Unit
Competition Council of Latvia
Phone +371 67365210
Email: toms.noviks@kp.gov.lv