Illegal price-fixing in tendering on the Danish construction market

In a news report from the Danish Competition AuthorityThe IT reports that the Special Prosecutor for Economic and International Crime in Denmark (SØIK) has filed charges against 33 contractors in the Greater Copenhagen area for illegal price-fixing. This is one of the largest collusion cases in Denmark, concerning the coordination of contractors in the submission of tenders for construction projects, for both public and private clients. The value of the construction projects covered by the collusion amounted to the equivalent of 8-10 billion Icelandic krónur. A report from the Danish Competition Authority points out that price-fixing of this kind caused significant damage to consumers and taxpayers, and that the overcharging by the contractors in the illegal cartel may have cost their clients 10-50% more than the works would otherwise have cost.

The case has been handled in cooperation between the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Danish Competition Authority, including conducting searches at a number of companies.