The Supreme Administrative Court gave the decision to the Finnish Hairdressers’ Association on 14 June 2013 regarding the pricing recommendations that the association had provided from 2000-2006. The Finnish Hairdressers’ Association had appealed a Market Court ruling made in 2009 to the Supreme Administrative Court. The Supreme Administrative Court rejected the appeal of the Finnish Hairdressers’ Association and found the association guilty of conduct breaking competition law. The Supreme Administrative Court, however, reduced the penalties to be imposed by the Market Court.
The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority is satisfied with the settlement of the Supreme Administrative Court, which confirms that industry associations may not affect the pricing of their member companies, for example by providing price recommendations. Price recommendations are prohibited because they standardise pricing in the field of business and are likely to raise price levels.
Supreme Administrative Court decision 14 June 2013 (in Finnish)
FCA press release 27 August 2007 (in Finnish)
FCA press release 23 December 2009 (in Finnish)
Further information:
Head of Research Sanna Syrjälä, tel. 029 505 3385
Email address written as firstname.surname@kkv.fi