The FCCA has published a brochure on the inspection of business premises of undertakings. The brochure outlines what is included in an inspection of business premises, and the rights and responsibilities of FCCA and the inspected undertaking.
The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) is tasked with conducting surprise inspections of the business premises of undertakings or associations of undertakings under Section 35 of the Competition Act. Inspections are usually conducted by the FCCA when there is a justified reason to suspect that an undertaking or association of undertakings has used prohibited practices or has restricted competition by exploiting its dominant market position. The FCCA may also conduct an inspection in order to evaluate an acquisition that has been reported to it.
The FCCA’s brochure describes the typical structure of an inspection of business premises, but exhaustive information on situations that arise during inspections or on the FCCA’s inspection practices is not provided. The brochure is especially directed at undertakings and their employees with regards to situations where the FCCA arrives to inspect the undertaking’s business premises.