The European Commission plans to carry out unannounced inspections at the premises of several unnamed fashion companies in EU member states.
In addition, the Commission stated that it had sent out formal requests for information to other fashion companies.
A statement from the organization states that the companies investigated are suspected of violating Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, which prohibits cartels and other anti-competitive business practices.
In investigating possible anti-competitive practices, the Commission reiterated that this does not mean that the investigated companies were guilty and underlined that it did not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
The Commission also pointed out that companies that report cartel behavior and wrongdoing can receive a reduction in fines or even immunity from fines.
This translated post previously appeared on FashionUnited.uk.