FAS ISSUED AN ADMONITION TO THE PIPE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND

The reason was a statement of the director of the non-profit organization in the mass-media

The FAS Russia warns the director of the non-profit organization “Pipe Industry Development Fund” from committing actions that may violate the Law on Protection of Competition (part 5 of article 11).

On December 15, 2020 the official websites of the news agency MetalTorg.Ru, print and broadcast media “Metal Supply and Sales” and the magazine ”Metallurgical Bulletin” provided information on the statement of the director of the non-profit organization “Pipe Industry Development Fund” about the possible refusal of metallurgical companies to fulfill orders for 2-3 million tons of metal products, which could lead to a decrease in tax revenues and job cuts.

The Federal Antimonopoly Service recalls that commercial and non-commercial organizations are prohibited from coordinating economic activity if it can lead, among other things, to setting or maintaining prices.

“Information messages on the reduction of production of goods – refusal to fulfill orders can lead to the establishment or maintenance of prices, reduction or termination of production of goods. That is why the authority encourages all market participants and officials to refrain from careless statements,” said Andrey Tsarikovsky, Stats-Secretary, Deputy Head of the FAS Russia.

Reference:

In accordance with part 5 of article 11 of Federal Law No. 135-FZ of 26.07.2006 "On Protection of Competition", individuals, commercial organizations and non-profit organizations are prohibited from coordinating the economic activities of economic entities, if such coordination leads to any of the consequences specified in parts 1 - 3 of this article, which cannot be recognized as permissible in accordance with articles 12 and 13 of this Federal Law or which are not provided for by federal laws.