The Competition Appeals Tribunal has, by two rulings dated 14 August, upheld the decision of the Competition Authority. No. 8/2017, where Íslandspóstur was made to comply with detailed conditions and make changes to its operations. The conditions were imposed with the aim of counteracting the restrictions on competition which the Competition Authority considered to be attributable to the exclusive right to the distribution of signed letters under Article 50 and to Íslandspósts' strong position in the postal market and related markets, see further News The Competition Authority, dated 17 February.
The aforementioned decision was based on a settlement between Íslandspóstur and the Competition Authority. The decision concluded an investigation into several matters based on complaints from competitors. Two complainants, Póstmarkaðurinn ehf. and Samskip ehf., appealed the decision to the Competition Appeals Board, demanding that it be annulled. They argued that their complaints had not received a proper conclusion.
By the appeals board's rulings, the decision of the Competition Authority is confirmed. The board considers that the substantive provisions of the underlying settlement are comprehensive, detailed, and go a long way towards preventing the misuse of Íslandspósts' dominant market position in advance. The Competition Authority was authorised to conclude the settlement, and it addressed the matters of complaint in a satisfactory manner.
See further decisions of the Appeal Board no. 1/2017 and 3/2017.
With its third ruling, No. 2/2017, The appeals board also ruled on an appeal by Póstmarkaðurinn ehf. concerning the Competition Authority's decision not to take further action on the company's complaint regarding Íslandspósts's tariff within its monopoly right. The Competition Authority had concluded this case by letter, in parallel with decision no. 8/2017. The Appeal Board confirmed that decision.
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