In a decision targeting anti-competitive practices within franchise systems, the Romanian Competition Council has imposed total fines of 4.49 million RON (approximately €881,144) on Euro Parts Distribution SRL and 15 of its franchisees. The sanction stems from an extensive investigation revealing that the companies engaged in resale price maintenance for automotive parts and accessories.
The affected businesses operated within the physical retail networks of the popular platforms epiesa.ro and targuldepiese.ro, both owned by the franchisor, Euro Parts Distribution. According to the competition authority, between 2018 and 2023, franchisees adhered to anti-competitive contractual clauses that required them to sell auto parts in their physical stores at the exact prices listed on the two websites.
This practice restricted price competition between independent store owners and stripped consumers of potential discounts or localized price variances.
Bogdan Chirițoiu, President of the Competition Council, highlighted the significance of the ruling, noting that it represents one of the first major sanctions in Romania involving the operation of a franchise network. He emphasized that while franchising is a legitimate commercial model designed to build shared brand identity and operational standards, it cannot be used as a pretext to undermine competition through mandated resale prices.
The case forms part of a broader sectoral inquiry by the Competition Council into various franchise networks across Romania to ensure compliance with national antitrust rules. Romanian law strictly prohibits agreements or concerted practices that prevent, restrict, or distort market competition.
The antitrust authority reiterated that businesses involved in anti-competitive activities can apply for leniency programs, which offer immunity or substantial reductions in fines for reporting violations. A redacted public version of the official decision will be published on the Competition Council’s official website once confidential commercial information is removed.