The French Competition Authority has imposed a total fine of €6.5 million on Nexans and the Sonepar group for entering into an agreement that granted exclusive import rights for Nexans electrical cables across France’s overseas departments and regions.
In a decision published on 2 April 2026, the authority found that companies within the Nexans and Sonepar groups had coordinated to ensure that Sonepar entities were the exclusive importers of Nexans cables in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, La Réunion and Mayotte. The arrangement lasted for more than eight years, from May 2015 until November 2023.
According to the regulator, the agreement effectively prevented other distributors from importing Nexans electrical cables into these territories, restricting competition in the supply of electrical equipment. Nexans France was identified as the author of the conduct within the Nexans group, while several subsidiaries within the Sonepar group participated on the distribution side.
The decision also holds the parent companies of both groups responsible. On the Nexans side, the authority sanctioned Nexans France and its parent company Nexans. On the Sonepar side, the decision concerns Sonepar France Distribution and several regional distribution companies, including Compagnie Réunionnaise de Distribution de Matériel Électrique, Société Guadeloupéenne de Matériel Électrique, Câbles et Matériels Électriques, La Guyanaise de Distribution and Électro Distribution Océan Indien, together with the parent companies Sonepar France Distribution, Sonepar France and Sonepar.
The case originated from an investigation conducted by France’s Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). The investigation was supported by information provided by a whistleblower and by evidence obtained during search and seizure operations.
The authority noted that the case represents the first time it has imposed sanctions in a matter revealed by an individual who chose to report the conduct while benefiting from the formal whistleblower status, which guarantees protection of anonymity.
Both Nexans and Sonepar acknowledged the facts during the investigation and chose not to contest the allegations. As a result, they made use of the settlement procedure available under French competition law. This procedure allows companies to accept the findings in exchange for a fine determined within a range proposed by the authority’s general rapporteur.
Under the settlement, the authority imposed fines totalling €6.5 million, including €3 million on companies within the Nexans group and €3.5 million on companies belonging to the Sonepar group.
The regulator indicated that the sanction represents the highest fine it has imposed to date in a case involving exclusive import arrangements.
