Warsaw, January 7, 2026 — The Polish authority has imposed a combined fine of PLN 322,080 (approximately $89,377) on bathroom fittings distributor Oltens 1 and two of its managers for fixing minimum resale prices in online sales of Oltens-branded products, preventing e-commerce retailers from offering discounts.
According to the decision, Oltens 1 imposed mandatory minimum resale prices on independent online retailers for at least several months, effectively eliminating price competition in the online channel. Retailers who sold below the prescribed prices faced sanctions including warnings, exclusion from promotions, suspension of deliveries or loss of access to the company’s purchasing platform.
The authority found that Oltens 1 systematically monitored retailers’ online prices, including through price comparison websites, and intervened whenever prices fell below the company’s benchmarks. Even free delivery offers were treated as unlawful price reductions.
Price Coordination and Enforcement
The Polish authority concluded that while recommended retail prices are lawful in principle, Oltens 1 went further by enforcing them as mandatory minimum prices. Internal communications confirmed that “suggested prices” were treated as binding thresholds for online sales.
The authority held that the conduct restricted competition between independent retailers and deprived consumers of the ability to benefit from lower prices online compared with brick-and-mortar stores.
Fines and Leniency
Oltens 1 was fined PLN 256,300 (approximately $71,123), reduced from PLN 466,000 following cooperation with the authority. Two company managers were also fined PLN 28,779 and PLN 37,001, respectively.
The reductions followed the application of Poland’s leniency programme, under which the company and the individuals provided key evidence and cooperated with the investigation. Overall, the authority applied a 45% reduction to the penalties.
The decision confirms that resale price maintenance infringes both Polish and EU competition rules by limiting retailers’ pricing freedom and harming consumer welfare.
