The Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) has imposed a substantial penalty on the Federal Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (Coffito) for engaging in price-fixing practices that restricted competition in the physiotherapy and occupational therapy services market. The fine, totaling R$ 3.1 million (approximately $603,000), was handed down during a session on April 9, 2025.
The case was initiated in June 2021 by Cade’s General Superintendence after it was discovered that Coffito, along with the Regional Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (Crefito-15), had published regulations on their websites that appeared to restrict free market competition. These regulations included the creation of resolutions and price reference tables that set mandatory minimum values for services provided by professionals in the sector, updated annually.
Cade’s investigation revealed that these resolutions and tables were widely circulated and implemented, which led to the unlawful practice of price fixing. According to Counselor Carlos Jacques, the conduct directly interfered with market competition, and as such, it was deemed an unlawful act by object with a relative presumption of unlawfulness.
In addition to the fine, Coffito has been ordered to remove any references to the price tables from its websites and social media platforms, with a daily fine of R$ 5,000 (approximately $1,000) for non-compliance. The Council must also publish a public statement regarding the decision on its homepage and social media accounts.
This ruling emphasizes Cade’s commitment to safeguarding competition and ensuring that professional associations do not engage in anticompetitive behaviors that could harm consumers and service providers alike.
The full details of the case can be accessed through Administrative Process No. 08700.003473/2021-16.
