Bucharest, February 6, 2026 — The Romanian Competition Council has carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of National Railway Company CFR SA and its subsidiary Electrificare CFR SA as part of an investigation into a possible abuse of a dominant position in the supply of electric traction energy.
The investigation targets CFR SA in its role as administrator of Romania’s electrified railway infrastructure. According to the authority, the inquiry focuses on whether certain conduct by CFR SA may have maintained technical barriers that restrict access for alternative suppliers to the market for electric traction energy.
In particular, the Competition Council is examining whether the alleged failure to implement investments necessary for the proper operation of the electric traction power supply system may have had the effect of limiting competition in the market. Electrificare CFR SA, a subsidiary of CFR SA, currently acts as the supplier of electric traction energy within the national railway network.
As part of the investigation, competition officials conducted dawn raids at the headquarters of both CFR SA and Electrificare CFR SA. The inspections were authorised by the Bucharest Court of Appeal and were aimed at obtaining documents and information relevant to the authority’s assessment.
The Competition Council stressed that the carrying out of unannounced inspections does not imply that competition law has been infringed. Rather, such measures are intended to allow the authority to verify facts and clarify whether the conduct under scrutiny may constitute an abuse of dominance.
Under Romanian competition law, the abusive exploitation of a dominant position by one or more undertakings on the national market, or a substantial part of it, is prohibited where such conduct has as its object or effect the distortion of economic activity or harm to consumers.
The authority did not indicate how long the investigation is expected to last, nor did it provide further details on the specific practices under examination, citing the ongoing nature of the proceedings.
The case adds to increased scrutiny of infrastructure operators that combine network management with downstream commercial activities, particularly in sectors where access conditions are essential for market entry.
Source: https://www.consiliulconcurentei.ro/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Eng-CFR-Feb-2026.pdf
