From an analysis of the totality of evidence, the director general of the Office for Competition has found that there was demand by the fuel supplier, through indirect means, for a particular line of conduct to be pursued by the fuel retailer.

The office gathered evidence which proves that San Lucian Oil Company Limited, member of Falzon Group Holdings Limited, enforced Resale Price Maintenance through pressure by warning M&N Camilleri Petrol Station that the increased profit margin promised to M&N Camilleri Petrol Station in January 2015 would be withdrawn.

Subsequently, M&N Camilleri Petrol Station responded to this pressure by reverting to the maximum retail price of €1.35 per litre of diesel, as published by Enemed Company Limited. Therefore, the office has concluded that San Lucian Oil Company Limited, member of Falzon Group Holdings Limited, and M&N Camilleri Petrol Station have infringed Article 5(1) (a) of the Competition Act by entering into a resale price maintenance agreement which has as its object the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition in Malta or parts of Malta, by indirectly fixing the selling price of diesel.

The decision is being published in terms of Article 19(2) of the Competition Act. A non-confidential version of the decision is available from the following link: http://www.mccaa.org.mt/en/mccaa-press-releases .

Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority
Office for Consumer Affairs
Mizzi House,
National Road,
Blata l-Bajda
HMR 9010

Freephone: 8007 4400
Tel: 2395 2000
Enquiries: info@mccaa.org.mt
Consumer complaints: fair.trading@mccaa.org.mt
Website: www.mccaa.org.mt

MCCAA office hours for the public:
Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 12.30pm

European Consumer Centre Malta
(For complaints against traders in other EU states)

47A, South Street,
Valletta.
VLT 1101

Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3pm.

Tel: 2122 1901
E-mail: ecc.malta@gov.mt