OREANDA-NEWS. September 30, 2013. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) warned Vice-President of Moscow Fuel Association, Alexander Nebolsin, not to exercise actions that can lead to violating the antimonopoly law. Recently FAS has had to issue warnings to top executives of business associations more often with regard to their statements in mass media about increased gasoline prices. Such forecasting can provoke panic demand for oil products and result in an unreasonable increase of prices.

Earlier Mr. Nebolsin made statements in mass media, forecasting increased consumer prices and a shortage of oil products in the Russian Federation. FAS warned Mr. Nebolsin that such statements can mean coordination of the pricing policy between members of the Association.

In its letter the Antimonopoly Service reminded that Moscow Fuel Association is a non-commercial organization that objectives of which are to coordinate entrepreneurial activities and represent and protect common property, economic and social interests of the owners of motor-vehicle refuelling complexes, oil depots and other enterprises related to this business, improving fuel infrastructure in the region, and creating a high-quality system for selling gasoline to consumers. Market participants may perceive the public statement made by Mr. Nebolsin as a guideline for their pricing policy.

FAS monitors prices for oil products on a daily basis. If signs of unreasonable price growth are identified, the Antimonopoly Service shall undertake measures of antimonopoly control.

Article 25.7 of No.135-FZ Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” of 26.07.2006 warns not to exercise actions that can lead to violating the antimonopoly law.

Part 5 Article 11 of No.135-FZ Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” of 26.07.2006 prohibits physical persons, commercial organizations and non-commercial organizations to coordinate economic activities of economic entities if such coordination leads to any of the consequences specified in Parts 1 - 3 Article 11, that cannot be allowed under Articles 12 and of No.135-FZ Federal Law or not provided for by other federal laws.