ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES CARTEL.

Europe Energy, November, 2006

The European Commission is expected before Christmas to condemn a dozen companies for participating in an illegal understanding in the electronic appliances sector, according to AFP reports, quoting a number of sources. The businesses concerned are expected to include the French Schneider, Alstom and Areva groups, the German group Siemens, the Swiss-Swedish group ABB, Austria's VA Tech and the Japanese groups Mitsubishi and Hitachi, according to these sources.

Suspecting illegal practices, the Commission conducted surprise inspections in May 2004 at the premises of these businesses. In May 2006, it sent the companies concerned a statement of objections'.