COPENHAGEN — April 10, 2025
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority has conducted unannounced inspections in the sports equipment industry as part of an ongoing investigation into potential anti-competitive behavior. The inspections are focused on uncovering any illegal agreements or practices that may be restricting competition in the market.
While the inspections have raised concerns, the Authority clarified that the visits do not indicate that a violation of competition rules has occurred. The purpose of these inspections is to gather evidence to either confirm or deny suspicions of anti-competitive activity.
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority has 40 working days to review the material obtained during the inspections. If the evidence suggests that the Competition Act has been violated, the Authority will proceed with further investigation and potentially submit the case to the Competition Council for a decision.
In line with a recent change in its press policy, the Authority will now provide public information about inspection visits, though it will not disclose specific companies involved. This shift aligns with the European Commission’s approach and reflects similar practices in neighboring Nordic countries.
The move comes as part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to ensure fair competition in Denmark’s business sectors, including sports equipment, where it is crucial to maintain a level playing field for all market participants.
