commiss decis juli relat proceed pursuant articl ec treati iv pvc german english french italian dutch text authent ec commiss european commun regard treati establish european commun regard council regul februari regul implement articl treati amend act access spain portug regard commiss decis march initi proceed initi parti concern opportun make view object rais commiss pursuant articl regul regul eec commiss juli hear provid articl council regul consult advisori committe restrict practic domin posit fact decis concern applic articl ec treati collus arrang amount cartel involv produc suppli bulk thermoplast pvc commun pursuanc held regular secret meet order coordin commerci behaviour plan concert price initi fix target minimum price agre target sale quota produc monitor progress collus arrang introduct undertak undertak decis address major petrochem produc undertak particip infring period cover decis result signific reorgan industri undertak merg produc left pvc sector continu exist undertak decis address undertak basf dsm elf atochem enichem hoechst huel ici lvm montedison sav shell wacker product pvc bulk thermoplast product develop produc vinyl chlorid monom vcm obtain ethylen chlorin feedstock pvc import heavi industri construct vari consum applic convert hard materi compound plastic made flexibl articl includ film pvc convert end product varieti process includ extrus continu coat blow mould inject rigid pvc make pipe construct materi overtaken flexibl form product film fabric term import type pvc produc technolog plant process pvc usag account suspens homopolym mass copolym gener applic past emuls polym suspens copoym special product pvc market western europ pvc consumt grade western europ rose tonn tonn consumpt demonstr mark correl cyclic industri product year period pvc usag outstrip annual growth west european market suppli manufactur reduc result merger restructur plant closur total namepl capac million tonn european demand run tonn export tonn import minim namepl capac tonn product total tonn give record util rate nomin capac effect capac import increas tonn eastern europ western europ substanti net pvc export export tonn relev time consider inter state trade pvc partli result substanti variat domest suppli demand member state trade western europ place nation boundari produc basf oco lvm norsk hydro shell solvai plant countri solvai wacker hoechst possess integr ethylen feedstock product downstream consider captiv usag pvc output processor integr group produc overcapac commiss accept period cover decis pvc market europ character structur overcapac produc report substanti loss sector overcapac factor account situat larg number produc product site lead uneven plant load strateg concept pvc busi produc volatil market period sharp turn demand depress demand western european economi gener earli accept produc oper break level fourth quarter includ quarter pvc produc western europ gener achiev cash break quarter industri experienc return net cash loss plant ration scheme closur larg elimin overcapac pvc produc run plant full capac gener profit commiss investig exist infring light late investig thermoplast product novemb investig visit made ici shell basi author specif relat suspect agreement contrari articl bulk thermoplast pvc polystren hdpe ldpe subsequ commiss oblig adopt decis articl regul requir ici provid inform relat document discov premis januari commiss carri investig prior warn atochem enichem solvai investig visit made huel wacker lvm commiss oblig adopt seri decis articl refus failur larg number undertak provid inform case undertak maintain initi refus detail infring origin cartel collus arrang subject decis origin propos made august discuss consult plan document amount blueprint cartel found ici propos framework meet administ revis quota system price fix scheme record gener favour reaction produc ici propos ici propos framework meet consist restrict plan group larger oper group produc administ quota price fix arrang plan group consist ici french compani larger meet includ produc anic basf dsm sav pcuk ici declin confirm ident undertak refer singl letter context list propos particip clear mean solvai largest pvc produc wacker probabl huel largest german pvc produc hoechst possibl minor produc pvc french compani meant chloe compani form context reorgan french petrochem industri chang atochem subsequ elf atochem meet discuss matter produc percentag market share permit varianc quota arrang exchang monthli data sale produc countri achiev greater price transpar common european price import allow penetr margin suggest machineri price initi measur design ensur sucessful includ discourag custom tourism buyer chang supplier offer lowest price document summar respons pvc produc propos show gener support plan reserv express wisdom allow flexibl individu quota moot ici propos meet produc propos meet pvc produc place fairli regularli differ level senior approxim month respons ici articl decis april inform meet ici call arrang framework offici chemic industri associ apm associ polym manufactur europ ici admiss discuss cover topic price data market share claim commit produc result discuss ici identifi produc take part meet period august septemb anic enichem atochem elf atochem basf dsm enichem hoechst huel ici kemanord divis kemanobel lvm montedison norsk hydro pcuk sav shell solvai wacker ici produc attend meet regularli particip meet vari time time commiss attempt obtain produc precis inform particip meet name ici deni knowledg meet claim detail shell admit attend meet respect commiss found evid particip form diari entri hoechst admit particip unoffici meet competitor claim concern anticompetit discuss produc claim answer decis adopt articl recollect knowledg meet admit deni attend meet hoechst claim purpos innoc basf respons decis adopt articl regul confirm particip meet virtual undertak name ici anic atochem basf enichem hoechst huel ici lvm montedison norsk hydro shell solvai wacker produc involv proceed attend meet confirm basf dsm sav undertak combin pvc interest earli exist vcm joint ventur lvm name basf record minut regular meet forthcom produc involv extens persist inquiri part commiss price initi industri frequent produc intern document point document found number undertak show exist quota inform exchang point express intent plan found ici set meet administ scheme commiss led conclus regular meet fact concern subject quota scheme plan document found ici show propos tonnag quota base futur compani nation basi previous strongli support produc suggest percentag quota base produc achiev market share anomali remain settl produc consid scheme realist workabl includ agre formula load capac plant restart temporari closur produc claim quota scheme introduc documentari evid disprov argument ici note messag receiv manag director montedison petrochem divis april state ici pvc insanc end capac germani tonn increas quota januari ici plan build plant wilhelmshaven close capac clear produc attempt reinforc quota scheme compens mechan penal oversold produc favour reach target introduct compens scheme pvc foreseen plan document ici memorandum head share pain concern primarili discuss shell propos similar scheme product pvc produc abel work agre market share pvc compens scheme continu allow adjust compani group compani sale fell quot target quot allow compani creep market share penalti produc dismiss share pain document unreli specul ici document found spanish produc confirm exist scheme document propos compens mechan ldpe similar scheme recent introduc pvc produc put oper half sale june sale document conclud comparison propos ldpe scheme pvc arrang pvc produc appar shell join pvc scheme note state ldpe scheme oper produc pvc exist equal scheme confirm document found dsm suggest avoid make compens deliveri produc deliber underst sale industri statist show appar increas pvc sale half compar period dsm remark explan found fals declar sale half compens item investig suggest produc cheat detract clear evid compens scheme put oper albeit limit time volum control scheme continu commiss commenc investig thermopolast sector late document draft english head pvc quarter relat discov atochem elf atochem call januari list detail monthli sale individu pvc produc month year compar achiev percentag market share produc quarter plainli target share actual tonnag sale januari februari head final whil march april head appar case sale figur final quick statist commun produc concern fide inform exchang fide scheme industri wide statist servic run zurich base account firm subscrib produc suppli individu data central offic collat inform produc global anonym statist western european market global statist produc determin market share competitor system confidenti safeguard prevent competitor exchang inform forum clear implic document found atochem produc name exchang individu sale figur offici fide system order monitor oper quota system case ici shell round figur firm name atochem basf enichem huel ici kemanord lvm norsk hydro pekema shell solvai wacker effect west european pvc produc relev time montedison left sector march target compar actual market share quarter quot quot id quot quot gt basf gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt hoechst quot gt id quot quot gt huel quot gt id quot quot gt wacker quot gt id quot quot gt atockem gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt enichem gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt ici gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt kemanord gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt lvm gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt norsk hydro gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt pekema gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt shell gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt solvai gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt commiss attempt obtain fide return produc name order check accuraci tonnag sale produc atochem document extent wich market share correspond target shown atochem document number produc claim statist document longer case data obtain signific part individu monthli tonnag shown document found atochem correspond tonn supposedli confidenti fide declar undertak concern solvai kemanord pekema case german produc combin sale ascertain commiss fide return articl regul quarter tonn figur atochem document appli lvm commiss establish achiev market share produc close percentag target set document instanc solvai actual market share target share document similarli german produc end achivi compar target ici final percentag compar target signific ici intern document date refer occas target elf atochem claim ignor mean document unabl identifi sourc style typefac french produc elf atochem produc provid plausibl expan wich cast doubt natur infer abbrevi mean percentag target monitor sale nation market plan document propos meet produc cover exchang monthli data sale produc countri annual report pvc sector found solvai show period cover decis end home produc major nation market inform tonnag sold market relat itali solvai report expressli state divis nation market produc basi exchang data colleagu translat origin french solvai claim except itali deni contact produc inform obtain deduct offici statist inform receiv custom assert contradict shell state occasion period januari octob solvai telephon seek confirm estim shell compani sale tonnag implic solvai chairman meet case reach broad estim market share method solvai claim emploi precis inform produc view spars total absenc sale statist undertak name difficult ascertain sale figur note solvai fact correspond case actual sale produc question commiss ascertain german market solvai figur sale huel basf correspond declar fide year franc solvai figur shell substanti correct lvm total sale franc correctli state atochem sale accur data forthcom atochem enabl solvai figur check year solvai document show annual sale produc exist system monthli monitor individu sale nation market demonstr document found atochem target price price initi document show main task propos meet detail plan coordin price initi head propos meet oper note list achiev greater price transpar delta import maximum higher price uk itali level abat tourism price initi foreseen quarter preced stabil period orderli market supplier contact custom suppli previou month refer period meet schedul septemb order secur commit member plan oper group plan octob decemb price initi make arrang seek support produc cartel price suspens grade pvc fallen summer low dm kilogram ici plan document octob novemb price dm novemb decemb price dm plan initi put effect ici intern report novemb price increas announc novemb meant bring west european suspens price minimum dm te document found wacker solvai dsm confirm exist concert initi spite absenc record produc document show price object commiss identifi pvc price initi period cover decis detail set tabl period initi industri rais european price target level regularli report specialist trade press report prevail market condit invari identifi target price level date increas effect specialist press report price push initi correspond indic document produc price record target set industri concert action plan achiev european target fix german mark equival nation currenc calcul nation market occas april trade press hint collus avoid direct accus report rumour meet pvc produc held pari discuss market diciplin volum control set price target hold meet march confirm ici shell ici memorandum januari target price europ fairli industri post level memorandum wide acknowledg post level achiev slack market announc psycholog effect buyer analog car purchas quot list price quot set level purchas satisfi obtain discount struck quot good deal quot car produc garag adequ margin writer recommend pvc industri announc wide target price attain dm kilogram march fact pari meet march step price initi design rais price dm dm kilogram attempt prove larg succes shell report march read major initi plan stop price eros minimum target establish march april dm kilogram quarter market demand increas price rose steadili target dm kilogram septemb dm kilogram novemb set intern price instruct obtain number undertak dsm ici lvm shell wacker confirm price initi concert industri wide exercis produc introduc price target effect date frequent refer support plan price increas industri initi price instruct intern document produc emphas sale offic show firm support price initi involv confin sale regular custom avoid tourism allow concess price list obtain head offic approv refus busi brake price commiss requir undertak present case provid document show intern price object price list price instruct nation sale offic exept abovement undertak document obtain spot investig undertak claim document destroi matter routin exist price instruct telephon claim price decis custom custom basi polici defin commiss accept price sensit sector undertak specif price object written record maintain produc full document commiss absenc price document produc show simultanesli introduc ident price list appli german mark european target demonstr major object meet involv set price target coordin price initi undertak deni industri wide initi place part argu manifest spontan competit forc attribut phenomenon price initi econom theori barometr price leadership larger produc set price approxim emerg event condit full competit illicit contact take place order accept valid argument commiss ignor consider documentari evid express purpos regular meet foreseen plan document ii particip meet produc pvc iii produc intern market report suggest price initi part concert plan light attend meet idl produc claim heard impend price initi read commerci journal decid independ support commiss awar spite effort produc ensur common price disciplin concert price initi pvc met mix success case consid complet failur factor account gab list prevail market price level case custom bought heavili price advanc expect announc price initi produc tardi appli list nation market offer special discount rebat select custom steer middl increas price target level retain market share low price nation market neg effect neighbour market sharp drop demand creat difficulti concert price action true number produc part meet name aggress disrupt market produc consid strong support price initi prepar lose volum order forc increas initi frequent involv upward move price tabl custom face marker refer price market individu custom receiv special condit discount set price target meant inevit opportun negati custom circumscrib proof exist cartel particip produc core evid exist cartel inher natur infring present case concern decis larg extent base circumstanti evid exist fact constitut infring articl part prove logic deduct proven fact present case circumstanti evid commiss obtain substanti bodi direct documentari proof relat fact issu question infring articl occur fall consid light inter alia propos detail plan found ici framework regular meet oper price fix volum control system recit oper western european pvc produc system regular meet recit proven particip meet undertak name articl decis recit phenomenon uniform industri price initi period undertak regularli meet recit ident price target introduc produc due effect dai recit refer document found origin ici compens system pvc recit document found solvai show exchang inform pvc produc individu sale nation market recit document found elf atochem show percentag produc comparison actual perform recit undertak administr procedur attempt treat singl item evid isol rest argu evid plan implement prove meet corcern collus discuss price initi shown connect meet allegedli plausibl hypothes advanc item evid argu consist exist cartel particip produc concern case argument advanc undertak relat document find support express term document commiss consid item direct circumstanti evid present case consid system regular meet divorc plan propos price initi isol exist meet clear statement purpos ici plan light element proof reinforc respect fact issu lead conclus market share price fix cartel oper pvc particip individu produc core evid show exist cartel provid plan document evid system regular meet ostens competitor document relat quota compens scheme practic proof commiss consid demonstr exist cartel convinc evid prove suspect particip adher common scheme documentari proof exist show particip part manifest infring highli improb case natur documentari evid duplic particip item documentari evid conveni particip cartel present case absenc price document prove actual particip produc concert price initi commiss consid relat suspect particp suffici reliabl evid prove adher cartel proof particip manifest thereof present case core evid fact demonstr exist common scheme identifi virtual particip cartel undertak name document basf ici identifi attend meet confirm evid found document found investig solvai atochem document found atochem crucial item evid confirm continu particip cartel undertak name ici basf context articl cartel combin particip common unlaw end infring essenti joint enterpris undertak bear share respons commiss consid role plai produc evid particip cartel full particular suppli produc administr procedur except shell undertak name articl decis identifi particip meet ici basf case implic plan document shell admit take part meet intern document show inform price target contact solvai volum januari onward ici shell import produc compens scheme precis regular produc attend meet ascertain ow refus undertak provid inform request event cartel ventur continu number year fact member miss meet part frequent practic import document found atochem elf atochem show commiss began investig late virtual undertak ici shell except oper cartel fact intern price document exist undertak contact exoner aspect cartel oper commiss accept produc conduct busi price sensit product intern direct price polici degre respons born particip depend document fortuit undertak particip cartel fact commiss obtain evid price conduct firm diminish involv shown full member cartel price initi plan procedur issu administr procedur undertak assert commiss infring right defenc reject demand full access administr file commiss posit question set cover letter statement object undertak involv case receiv document support alleg made statement object full set repli made articl regul commiss provid inventori document file indic undertak access wish made clear reason confidenti undertak allow sight intern commerci document obtain competitor articl regul except document attach statement object commiss subsequ initi provid undertak document assist defenc expiri time allow repli statement object major undertak made joint approach commiss basi reciproc waiver confidenti demand commiss permit inspect document obtain commiss signatori commiss immedi inform undertak copi document suppli commiss consid purpos serv reciproc disclosur object arrang exchang document point waiver undertak confidenti intern busi document subject overrid public interest ensur competitor inform commerci activ intent competit restrict exist commiss file document disclos undertak cast doubt alleg made statement object undertak origin doubt drawn attent administr procedur document forthcom court justic emphas frequent occas judgment januari join case vbvb vbbb commiss ecr judgment juli case akzo commiss ecr provis requir commiss divulg content administr file undertak right defenc fulli protect undertak opportun make view document reli commiss support find subsequ decis extent decis commiss base find document disclos parti decis annul present case commiss requir set court justic disclos undertak document support alleg made statement object provid document origin cite statement object consid assist defenc document reli undertak full account decis ii legal assess articl articl articl ec treati prohibit incompat common market agreement undertak concert practic affect trade member state object effect prevent restrict distort competit common market directli indirectli fix purchas sell price trade condit share market sourc suppli natur structur agreement end produc pvc suppli commun parti complex collus scheme arrang measur work framework system regular meet arrang involv set target price modal concert price initi intend rais price level agre target divis western european market annual volum target exchang detail inform market activ order facilit coordin commerci behaviour order restrict constitut agreement mean articl parti legal bind secret cartel parti awar illeg behaviour intend collus arrang contractu forc agreement mean articl exist parti reach consensu plan limit limit commerci freedom determin line mutual action abstent action market enforc procedur foreseen case civil law contract requir agreement made write present case continu restrict arrang pvc produc period year origin propos made constitut implement practic commiss consid complex scheme arrang agre produc constitut singl continu agreement prohibit articl context plan produc time time plan price initi annual quota system revis account industri relat aspect arrang produc group produc time time resev dissatisfi specif point ici press quota increas collus consid seri discret agreement adher execut broad continu agreement particip procedur common object establish mechan volum control concert price word agreement commiss take object relat continu enterpris partnership produc prevent restrict distort competit pvc market period year agreement continu fact produc possibl frequent particip meet absenc evid shown implement price initi detract common natur enterpris engag essenc present case combin produc long period common unlaw end particip respons direct role individu share respons oper cartel concert practic commiss consid oper cartel constitut agreement mean articl articl refer agreement concert practic case aris case complic long run cartel numer adher collus present element form prohibit cooper concert practic relat form cooper undertak reach stage agreement properli call conclud knowingli substitut practic cooper risk competit object treati creat separ concept concert practic forestal possibl undertak evad applic articl collud anti competit manner fall short definit agreement inform advanc attitud intend adopt regul commerci conduct knowledg competitor behav judgment court justic juli imperi chemic industri commiss case ecr judgment decemb relat european sugar cartel suiker uni commiss join case ecr court justic expand definit concert practic held criteria coordin cooper laid case law court requir work actual plan understood light concept inher provis treati relat competit econom oper determin independ commerci polici intend adopt market requir independ depriv undertak adapt intellig exist anticip conduct competitor strictli preclud direct indirect contact object effect whereof influenc conduct market actual potenti competitor disclos competitor conduct decid adopt contempl adopt market collus conduct fall short agreement equal fall ambit articl court definit concert practic apt cover involv shell cooper cartel full member adapt market behaviour light contac cartel import concept concert practic result distinct agreement distinct form collus fall articl mere parallel behaviour element concert turn present case precis form collus arrang object effect agreement articl expressli mention restrict competit agreement directli indirectli fix sell price share market produc essenti characterist agreement consider present case basic purpos institut system regular meet continu collus produc creat perman mechan control tonnag sold achiev concert price increas plan common action price initi target price effect agre date produc aim elimin risk involv unilater attempt increas price control volum object creation artifici market condit favour price rise inextric link price initi pursuit object produc aim organ pvc market basi substitut institution systemat collus produc free oper competit forc amount cartel commiss awar circumst industri consider period pvc oper produc loss make price initi plan line feedstock price rise consider reliev agreement anti competit object competit condit product area larg number supplier difficult produc oper profit remedi lie collus produc rais price level respect argument advanc montedison effect meet occur prompt desir part industri ensur fair competit prevent unprofit price cut reject fact price cut occur circumst justifi infring commun rule competit judgment court justic januari vbvb vbbb commiss loc cit pp strictli manifestli anti competit object agreement advers effect competit demonstr view avail price instruct major produc commiss attempt demonstr produc appli uniform simultan increas list price period cover decis remain matter specul long term price level significantli lower absenc collus commiss accept assert produc arrang effect competit place success concert price initi produc put effect continu machineri monitor individu action context perceiv mutual solidar set industri european target price level meant free plai market forc establish competit price level restrict normal circumst condit suppli demand favour price increas lead produc test market price level market eventu stabil level singl target list price set oper process restrict prevent present case establish singl list refer price limit opportun custom negoti discount special condit determin refer list price place actual price level rose target level occas identifi price initi produc reach target full document initiav judg success produc stop trend lower price substanti improv price appar produc intern report success price initi depend consider extent factor control characterist market futil attempt concert price initi condit favour increas arrang wholli ineffect produc argu continu regular meet concert price initi year final quota scheme detail commiss show propos put forward quota arrang put practic time reinforc attempt compens scheme appli late effect trade member state agreement pvc produc appreci effect trade member state collus agreement present case extend member state cover virtual trade commun major industri product produc suppli product commun imbal suppli demand nation market consider intra commun trade fix target price distort pattern trade member state effect price level differ effici produc arrang intend discourag call custom tourism freez custom turn inquiri intend prevent develop trade relationship volum control system onward expressli base compani compani european quota nation quota exist constraint oper restrict opportun open produc clear document found solvai inform exchang divis nation market undertak consid nation local produc undertak ident western european petrochem industri includ pvc sector undergon substanti restructur process receiv support commiss problem present case applic eec competit rule restructur undertak exist todai held liabl involv cartel predecessor subject eec competit rule undertak concept ident legal person purpos nation law term undertak defin treati refer entiti engag commerci activ case larg industri group circumst appli term parent subsidiari compani econom unit form parent subsidiari case produc subject reorgan divest pvc activ essenti task identifi undertak commit infring ii determin undertak essenti form exist liquid question undertak ident determin commun law organ nation compani law decis irelev undertak sold pvc busi purchas liabl particip seller cartel undertak commit infring continu exist remain respons spite transfer hand infring undertak absorb produc respons follow attach merg entiti acquir shown carri adopt unlaw conduct determin factor function econom continu origin infring undertak merg elf atochem form chloe chimi joint ventur compani own elf cfp rhône poulenc chang atochem septemb absorb sister compani ato chimi major part activ pcuk august plan document found ici name particip pcuk french compani refer chloe chloe start close link ato chimi pvc activ harmon econom interest group gie orgavyl express term chloe ato pcuk merger legal person chloe ato chimi fact continu atochem denomin main issu purpos eec competit law function econom continu undertak legal ident chang elf atochem sa effect present proceed elf atochem repres fusion continu econom activ chloe ato chimi pvc sector link form orgavyl elf atochem respons particip constitu undertak cartel prior elf atochem liabl ato chimi chloe orgavyl commiss propos purpos assess fine atochem attribut liabil pcuk dsm transfer pvc activ lvm joint ventur sav begin continu exist undertak consider appli parent sav commiss consid dsm sav remain respons particip cartel creation lvm format lvm undertak particip cartel acquisit emc group parent compani sav share capit lvm effect present proceed design lvm addresse decis enichem compris italian state own chemic sector oper anic notwithstand reorgan function econom continu anic enichem restructur enichem continu particip cartel enichem respons activ anic fact enichem transfer pvc activ evc joint ventur ici affect issu liabil enichem continu exist undertak ici liabil similarli affect transfer pvc activ evc joint ventur montedison remain exist undertak respons particip cartel left pvc sector march addresse decis concept undertak subject ec competit rule depend compani law purpos enforc identifi entiti possess legal person consider difficulti regard collect fine articl treati decis address legal entiti case larg industri group normal address decis group hold compani headquart compani undertak consist unit form parent subsidiari enichem montedison claim addresse decis compani insid group respons thermoplast activ commiss note case market respons pvc share compani group instanc enichem anic spa respons enichem sale pvc itali intern market oper direct zurich base compani enichem intern sa member state pvc sale undertaken nation subsidiari enichem commiss consid address decis main hold compani head enichem montedison group royal dutch shell group present problem consist larg number compani group hold compani royal dutch shell hold interest singl group headquart compani address decis shell intern chemic compani sicc servic compani respons coordin strateg plan royal dutch shell group thermoplast activ oper compani chemic sector appar larg degre manag autonomi sicc repres centr shell chemic oper present case sicc contact cartel attend meet reason respons plan coordin activ shell group thermoplast shell intern chemic compani consid commiss addresse decis council regul eec produc claim commiss preclud regul eec impos fine relat involv alleg cartel januari year investig carri januari regul imposit fine place subject limit period year extend time run date infring case continu repeat infring date infring ceas limit period interrupt action commiss investig parti suspect infring action commiss start time run afresh argument undertak overlook express provis regul fail action commiss investig suspect cartel novemb interrupt limit period particip suspect infring produc visit time result undertak ceas particip infring novemb possibl benefit regul infring alleg commenc undertak invok limit case durat infring collus arrang pvc exist propos cartel structur commiss proce basi present infring commenc august date ici propos appar system meet began time establish certainti date individu produc began attend meet weight documentari evid deni particip knowledg meet document implic produc hoechst montedison norsk hydro shell lvm format origin plan date produc adher plan ascertain document hoechst identifi solvai document particip exchang inform market share germani similarli montedison implic begin document relat itali shell claim attend meet document show knew support price initi admit contact solvai januari commiss accept particip cartel limit began produc ici compens arrang june lvm particip scheme date time pvc interest parent compani dsm sav april produc left pvc sector commiss began investig montedison transfer oper enichem begin dsm sav longer directli involv transfer pvc busi lvm absenc inform produc establish collus form end cartel continu commiss carri investig pvc sector late document found atochem show monitor sale quota oper inform exchang late pvc produc activ sector relev time identifi relat scheme shell ici indic ceas activ part arrang involv volum quota continu effect phenomenon initi involv produc simultan attempt rais price level level report trade press time investig concret evid cartel meet initi manifest continu mutual solidar produc spontan occur commiss make distinct durat purpos assess fine articl regul purpos termin order articl recit remedi articl regul commiss find infring articl requir undertak concern bring infring end accord articl regul undertak deni infring articl occur continu disput weight evid regular meet touch matter affect competit deni knowledg meet undertak inform commiss step ensur repres avoid suspect contact competitor meet commun firm price volum fact ceas includ decis formal requir undertak activ pvc sector termin infring refrain futur collus arrang similar object effect articl regul articl regul commiss decis impos undertak fine ecu ecu million sum excess thereof exceed turnov preced busi year undertak particip infring intention neglig infring articl fix amount fine regard graviti durat infring undertak decis address deliber infring articl deliber set oper secret institution system regular meet fix price volum target import industri product undertak concern basf hoechst ici subject fine impos commiss collus chemic industri dyestuff commiss decis eec commiss take account evid undertak decis address continu involv collus arrang month commiss begun investig novemb shell ici distanc cartel time fix gener order fine impos commiss account consider collus price market share natur restrict competit pvc major industri product sale ecu million annual western europ undertak particip infring account virtual market collus institution system regular cartel meet set organ detail market pvc accept mitig fine larg part period cover decis undertak concern report substanti loss pvc sector commiss take account fact major undertak subject substanti fine particip cartel thermoplast sector polypropylen period cover decis assess fine impos individu undertak commiss consid degre involv consider role ascertain plai collus arrang respect import pvc market indic point ici solvai plai role prime mover cartel commiss present case identifi certainti ringlead bear major respons infring substanti distinct made produc attend meet basi percept degre individu commit arrang individu interest diverg time time produc attend meet involv common ventur commiss draw distinct full member cartel shell oper peripheri shell case reason impos fine significantli lower order produc absenc detail inform particip produc meet made imposs determin precis date except produc leav pvc sector involv infring ceas account indic involv shell began date produc montedison involv start left sector begin dsm sav role cartel lvm form joint ventur mid similarli commiss assess fine ici shell basi activ particip meet contact ceas octob remain produc name document found elf atochem commiss assess fine basi particip cartel continu proceed court justic decemb commiss adopt decis eec pursuant articl treati find infring commit undertak impos fine addresse decis solvai norsk hydro decis notifi undertak februari addresse decis except solvai appli court justic annul decis novemb court transfer applic court instanc norsk hydro applic annul dismiss inadmiss court instanc june file time judgment februari case basf commiss join case ecr ii court instanc declar decis eec exist commiss appeal judgment case june court justic set judgment court instanc annul decis commiss ground commiss compli articl rule procedur requir decis authent authent languag version signatur presid secretari gener refer execut secretari regul eec recit limit period imposit fine interrupt action commiss purpos preliminari investig proceed time start run afresh action imposit fine definit time bar dai period equal limit period elaps commiss impos fine year date infring ceas period extend term decis commiss subject proceed pend court justic includ court instanc provis enabl commiss adopt decis present case annul court procedur ground fourth competit report articl regul identifi action commiss interrupt run prescript period particip infring includ written request inform commiss decis requir request inform author investig decis order investig commenc proceed notif statement object list exhaust fortiori adopt commiss decis articl decemb year earliest date undertak ceas particip cartel consid action interrupt prescript adopt interpret regul notif statement object expressli mention articl april action qualifi articl interrupt run time commiss addresse april period year month proceed pend court justic adopt decis june case montedison left sector cartel begin possibl dsm sav replac cartel joint ventur lvm mid statement object notifi year elaps proven involv montedison make time run afresh articl regul eec written request inform decis requir inform expressli interrupt run limit period decis pursuant articl regul fact notifi montedison novemb start time run afresh addit year period set decis expir end novemb addit time proceed pend court ultim date adopt decis impos fine montedison possibl dsm sav statement object qualifi stop time run januari solvai make applic court justic annul decis norsk hydro applic declar inadmiss decis eec remain valid decis impos fine undertak fine origin impos payabl purpos defin infring decis concern solvai norsk hydro particip articl oper part decis descript natur subject valid termin order pursuant articl regul unnecessari articl decis appli decis address solvai norsk hydro adopt decis articl basf ag dsm nv elf atochem sa enichem spa hoechst ag huel ag imperi chemic industri plc limburgs vinyl maatschappij nv montedison spa société artésienn de vinyl sa shell intern chemic wacker chemi gmbh infring articl ec treati norsk hydro solvai amp cie particip period identifi decis agreement concert practic origin august produc suppli pvc commun part regular meet order fix target price target quota plan concert initi rais price level monitor oper collus arrang articl undertak name articl involv pvc sector commun norsk hydro solvai subject valid termin order forthwith bring infring end henceforth refrain relat pvc oper agreement concert practic similar object effect includ exchang inform kind cover busi secreci particip directli indirectli inform output deliveri stock level sell price cost invest plan individu produc monitor adher express tacit agreement concert practic cover price market share insid commun scheme exchang gener inform produc subscrib pvc sector conduct exclud inform behaviour individu produc indentifi undertak refrain exchang addit inform competit signific cover system articl fine impos undertak name respect infring found articl basf ag fine ecu ii dsm nv fine ecu iii elf atochem sa fine ecu iv enichem spa fine ecu hoechst ag fine ecu vi huel ag fine ecu vii imperi chemic industri plc fine ecu viii limburgs vinyl maatschappij fine ecu ix montedison spa fine ecu société artésienn de vinyl fine ecu xi shell intern chemic compani fine ecu xii wacker chemi gmbh fine ecu articl fine impos articl paid ecu month date notif decis bank account commiss european commun banqu bruxel lambert agenc européenn rond point schuman bruxel expiri period interest automat payabl rate charg european monetari institut ecu oper work dai month decis adopt percentag point articl decis address basf ag karl bosch strass ludwigshafen dsm nv het overloon nl te heerlen elf atochem sa la défens puteaux cedex pari la défens enichem spa piazza della repubblica milano hoechst ag brueningstrass frankfurt main huel ag paul baumann strass marl imperi chemic industri plc milbank london sw jf great britain limburgs vinyl maatschappij nv squar de meeu bruxel montedison spa degli ariani ravenna société artésienn de vinyl sa rue jeann arc pari shell intern chemic compani shell centr london se pg great britain wacker chemi gmbh han seidelplatz muenchen decis enforc pursuant articl ec treati brussel juli commiss karel van miert member commiss oj oj commiss decis eec oj case remain valid undertak norsk hydro solvai recit refer framework meet evid suggest prior form nation quota system forc form subject matter decis case huel hoechst identifi ici basf particip meet emc group parent sav acquir dsm sharehold lvm sole proprietor figur produc hoechst oral hear support document reli german produc support assert document found atochem wrongli state combin sale cleari unreli involv hoechst load plant achiev occup rate hear hoechst produc set figur closer inform origin provid aricl accuraci reason doubt permit discount list price tourism phenomenon custom face price increas regular supplier seek lower quot produc basf identifi lvm particip meet parent compani dsm sav featur plan name ici particip activ cartel relat sale pvc member state scope decis oj applic regul eec period proceed respect infring pend court justic recit oj oj annex tabl pvc identifi price initi quot dm kg quot quot id quot quot gt novemb gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt januari gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt april gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt june gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt septemb gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt januari gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt june gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt septemb gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt januari gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt april gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt min quot gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt min quot gt id quot quot gt septemb gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt novemb gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt januari gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt april gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt id quot quot gt octob gt id quot quot gt gt id quot quot gt quot gt tabl pvc gener purpos pipe grade market price target januari decemb dm kg target price price spread sourc technon produc document