OREANDA-NEWS. July 13, 2009. The Krasnodar OFAS Russia initiated a case against "Lukoil-Yugnefteproduct" Ltd., "NK Posneft'-Kuban'nefteproduct" OJSC and "Oktan-Yug" Ltd. for the elements of violating Clause 1 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition". This legal norm forbids concerted actions between the companies that have dominant position on the relevant markets, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

OFAS Russia established that a simultaneous increase of retail prices for car petrol (grades А-76, Аi-92, Аi-95) and diesel fuel to the same level in June 2009 had elements of concerted actions.

Concerted actions can be actions undertaken by the companies that are simultaneously changing the prices of their products, "looking" at each other. It is understood, that they may not have reached specific arrangements. Such actions are forbidden by the current antimonopoly legislation because they are contrary to the legitimate interests of consumers. Companies, that have dominant position, are exercising dominant influence on the market, so the average fuel price within the boundaries of the goods market is increasing.

OFAS Russia reached these conclusions through weekly monitoring, and based on the information presented by "Lukoil-Yugnefteproduct" Ltd., "NK Posneft'-Kuban'nefteproduct" OJSC and "Oktan-Yug" Ltd. to the antimonopoly body.

Clause 1 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" prohibits agrements between economic entities or concerted actions between economic entities on the goods market, if such agreements or concerted actions have resulted or can result in fixing or maintaining prices (rates), discounts, mark-ups, surcharges, price additions.