Judgment of the General Court of 12 July 2018 — Nexans France and Nexans v Commission

(Case T-449/14) ¹

(Competition — Agreements, decisions and concerted practices — European market for power cables — Decision finding an infringement of Article 101 TFEU — Single and continuous infringement — Illegal nature of the inspection decision — Reasonable time — Principle of sound administration — Principle of personal responsibility — Joint and several liability for payment of the fine — Sufficient proof of the infringement — Duration of the infringement — Fines — Proportionality — Equal treatment — Unlimited jurisdiction)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Applicants: Nexans France SAS (Courbevoie, France) and Nexans SA (Courbevoie) (represented by: G. Forwood, lawyer, M. Powell, A. Rogers and A. Oh, Solicitors)

Defendant: European Commission (represented initially by: C. Giolito, H. van Vliet and A. Biolan, and subsequently by C. Giolito and H. van Vliet, acting as Agents, and by B. Doherty, Barrister)

Re:

Application under Article 263 TFEU for the annulment of Commission Decision C(2014) 2139 final of 2 April 2014 relating to a proceeding under Article 101 [TFEU] and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case AT.39610 — Power cables) in so far as it concerns the applicants and, in the alternative, a reduction of the fine imposed on the applicants.

Operative part of the judgment

The Court:

Dismisses the action;

Orders Nexans France SAS and Nexans SA to pay the costs.

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¹     OJ C 282, 25.8.2014.