The Hellenic Competition Commission has carried out unannounced inspections at companies active in the water supply, irrigation and wastewater sectors as part of an investigation into potential anti-competitive conduct.
The inspections took place on 10 March 2026 at the premises of several undertakings operating in these sectors. The authority conducted the operation in the context of ex officio proceedings examining possible horizontal agreements or concerted practices among competitors, including suspected bid rigging and potential cartel facilitation. The inspections were carried out with the assistance of the Hellenic Police, specifically its Criminal Investigations and Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate.
According to the authority, the investigation concerns potential violations of national and European competition rules, including Article 1 of Greek Law 3959/2011 and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which prohibit agreements or concerted practices between undertakings that restrict competition. The authority emphasized that the detection and prosecution of cartel behaviour between competitors remains one of its strategic enforcement priorities. Such practices are considered particularly harmful because they may lead to higher prices, reduced quality and limited choice for consumers, as well as diminished incentives for innovation. Tender manipulation, in particular, can undermine the integrity of public procurement procedures, place additional burdens on public budgets and negatively affect the quality of services delivered.
The Commission noted that conducting unannounced inspections is a standard investigative measure used to collect evidence relating to suspected anti-competitive practices in a given market. The inspections do not imply that the companies involved have engaged in unlawful conduct, nor do they prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
Under its mandate to safeguard the proper functioning of competitive markets, the authority enforces the provisions of Law 3959/2011 together with EU competition rules, including Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which prohibits the abuse of a dominant position. These rules form the core legal framework governing anti-competitive agreements, collusion, and other practices capable of distorting market competition.
The authority also highlighted the role of its leniency programme in uncovering cartel conduct. Companies, business associations and individuals that participate in secret agreements between competitors—such as price fixing, market allocation or bid rigging—may face significant administrative fines, criminal sanctions for responsible individuals, and potential exclusion from public tenders and concession contracts for up to three years following a decision. However, entities that cooperate with the authority under the leniency programme may obtain full or partial immunity from fines and other sanctions, as well as reductions in criminal liability.
The Competition Commission stated that it will continue to intervene where necessary to address anti-competitive behaviour and encouraged market participants to report suspected infringements through complaints, leniency applications or its secure whistleblowing system. The press release emphasized that the document is intended for media information and does not constitute a binding decision of the authority.