On 3 March 2026, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) confirmed that it is conducting unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the road signage and street furniture sectors.
The inspections are based on serious and convergent indications of possible manipulation of public procurement procedures (bid rigging) and other conduct that may infringe Article IV.1 of the Code of Economic Law and/or Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which prohibit anticompetitive agreements. The authority has not ruled out that certain practices under review could also fall within Article IV.2 of the Code of Economic Law and Article 102 TFEU, which address abuses of a dominant position.
Examples of companies active in road signage and street furniture manufacturing and supply include firms such as NIEZEN SA, LEDLITE NV and Urbis (urban equipment supplier), which operate in these market segments, although there is no indication these specific companies are involved in the investigation.
The BCA underlined that inspections are a preliminary step and do not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The length of the proceedings will depend on factors such as the complexity of the case, the cooperation of the undertakings concerned, and the exercise of defence rights. The authority also recalled the availability of its reporting channel and leniency programme for parties willing to disclose cartel conduct.