FCC Environment Romania Fined With RON 2 Million for Abuse of Dominance

The Competition Council has fined FCC Environment Romania SRL 2.045 million lei (410,000 euros) for abusing its dominant position in the market for non-hazardous industrial solid waste disposal services, specifically for waste that cannot be recovered (non-recyclable).

FCC Romania SRL operates the waste landfill in Arad and also provides services for the collection, transport, and commercialization of non-hazardous industrial solid waste.

Following an investigation, the competition authority found that between 2019 and 2023, FCC Environment Romania prohibited its clients—companies involved in the production/collection, transport, and commercialization of non-hazardous solid waste—from accessing the Arad landfill it operates.

As a result, FCC Environment Romania imposed abusive access conditions to the landfill, aiming to eliminate competing companies from the market for the production/collection, transport, and commercialization of non-hazardous solid waste—a market in which FCC Environment Romania is also active.

The investigation was triggered by a complaint from Georgia Recycling WMC SRL, a client of the Arad landfill.

Following the initiation of the investigation, FCC Environment Romania SRL implemented an internal compliance program to adhere to competition rules.

“It is noteworthy that during the investigation into the market for non-recyclable waste collection, transport, and commercialization services, inspections were conducted at the headquarters of FCC Environment Romania SRL. These unannounced inspections were authorized by the Bucharest Court of Appeal and were justified by the need to obtain all necessary information and documents.

It should be noted that the Competition Law (no. 21/1996) prohibits the abusive use of a dominant market position by one or more companies in the Romanian market.

The decision of the competition authority will be published on the institution’s website after the removal of confidential information,” says the Competition Council in a press release.