From investigations to searches. The competition and market authority, with the help of the Special Antitrust Unit of the Guardia di Finanza, carried out inspections at the premises of the companies Eni Spa, Esso Italiana Srl, Italiana Petroli Spa, Kuwait Petroleum Italia Spa and Tamoil Italia Spa.
The proceedings, reads a note from the Antitrust Authority, "were also initiated on the basis of the documentation promptly provided by the Guardia di Finanza regarding the ascertained infringements on fuel prices charged by over a thousand petrol stations (Eni 376 brand, Esso brand 40, Ip 383 trademark, Kuwait 175 trademark, Tamoil 48 trademark) distributed throughout the national territory".
The material provided by the Fiamme Gialle "would reveal conduct on the part of the oil companies attributable to the omitted diligence on controls with respect to the network of distributors".
In many cases there was a discrepancy between the advertised price and the higher one actually applied. In others, the omitted display of the price charged was found, ie the omitted communication to the “Osservaprezzi Carburanti” portal, useful for the consumer to find the pump with the lowest price.
The companies, according to the Antitrust, would not have adopted suitable measures or initiatives to prevent and contrast this illicit conduct to the detriment of consumers.
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)