THE STATE DUMA ADOPTED THE DRAFT LAW OF FAS ON A DISCOUNT FOR SUBJECTS OF SME WHEN PAYING FINES FOR ANTI-COMPETITIVE AGREEMENTS IN THE THIRD READING

If the law is adopted*, SMEs will be able to pay half of the amount of the imposed administrative fine when subjected to administrative liability**.

In this case, the amount of the fine must be paid not later than 20 days from the date of the decision on the imposition of the fine. In case of application of a delay or installment of execution of the resolution, the fine will be paid in full.

At the same time, it is assumed that a liable person will have the right to restore the missed deadline for paying the fine with a 50% discount if he receives such a resolution after 20 days from the date of its issuance.

The adoption of the law will allow SMEs to avoid possible financial difficulties (when paying a fine in full) and eliminate negative consequences for further business activities.

In addition, the changes will reduce the administrative burden on officials of antimonopoly authorities and judges conducting proceedings on cases of administrative offenses, as well as on bailiffs who collect fines by force ***.

For reference:

*Draft Federal Law № 1193621-7 “On Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federatio”

**for violations provided for in Parts 1-4 of Article 14.32 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation

*The draft law was developed pursuant to item 3 of the list of measures for the interdepartmental program of measures to identify and suppress cartels and other agreements restricting competition for 2019 - 2023, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation № 1314-r dated June 17, 2019.