ETRMA not subject to EC inspection

Yesterday the European Commission announced it was “carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the tyres industry in several Member States.” So far, we’ve learned that Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, Nokian Tyres, and Pirelli received visits from EC officials.

All six companies are members of the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA). The industry representative organisation, however, is not itself involved in the Commission’s current activities.

Tyrepress.com reached out to the ETRMA for comment, and communications manager Veronica Sarno confirmed the association had learned about the EC inspections “through public sources.” Sarno also stated that “the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) itself has not been raided, nor is it at this stage otherwise subject to any other investigative measure of the European Commission.”

Price coordination concerns

In a statement published on 30 January, the European Commission shares its concern that “the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices.” The Commission now seeks to determine whether companies – this may include more firms than the five that have confirmed being inspected – have engaged in “price coordination” practices when selling replacement market car, van truck and bus tyres, including via “public communications.”

_{This article was updated on 1 February 2024 to include Michelin in the list of companies having been inspected}