The European Commission has announced the imposition of fines of about 458 million euros (495 million dollars) on 15 senior car companies, in addition to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association because of its condemnation by participating in an unlawful bloc to recycle the components of vehicles that have ended.
The UNHCR stated, in a report, that the investigation it conducted over 15 years included 16 major car companies in addition to the European Auto Manufacturers Association, ending that 15 companies and the association formed a bloc that violates the rules of competition and combating monopoly.
The Commission stated that these companies reached illegal agreements to avoid the costs of dismantling the used cars, which reduced the pressure on manufacturers to improve recycling standards, in a clear violation of the rules of European competition. While the association played a major role in coordinating meetings and communications between companies involved.
“The car companies have agreed not to compete in advertisements for the possibility of recycling cars, and agreed not to talk about the recycled materials used in making their new cars,” said Trea Ribera, the Control of Anti -monopoly and the protection of competition in the European Union.
“We have taken decisive measures against companies that colluded to prevent competition in the recycling sector,” Ribera added, stressing that the European Commission will not tolerate any monopolistic practices that harm both consumers and the environment.
European laws state that car owners must be able to deliver their old vehicles to dismantling facilities without any costs, while obliging manufacturers to cover any additional fees if necessary, in addition to the need to inform buyers of the level of recycling in new cars.
Although all companies involved acknowledged their participation in violations and agreed to settle the case, this punishment represents a severe blow to the auto industry, which is subject to increasing environmental and legislative pressures in Europe.
