Competition investigation launched into 3 companies in the cosmetics sector

The Competition Board has taken a significant step regarding the economic entity formed by Carex Bitkisel Ürünler ve Kozmetik Sanayi Ticaret AŞ, Farma Plus İlaç Bant Sağlık ve Kozmetik Ürünleri Sanayi Ticaret Ltd. Şti., and Digital Farma İlaç Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti., which operate in the cosmetics and dermocosmetics sector in Turkey. An investigation has been initiated under the Law on the Protection of Competition following allegations that these companies interfered with the prices at which retailers could sell their products and restricted online sales through certain methods.

In a statement released on the Board's official website, it was noted that a preliminary investigation had been completed to determine whether the conduct of the companies operating in the relevant sector violated specific articles of the law. In light of the information and documents obtained, it was pointed out that the Board had reached findings sufficient to warrant the opening of an investigation into this corporate group.

The statement also recalled that many similar investigations have been conducted in the cosmetics and dermocosmetics market over the last three years, and that various companies have been fined in the past due to online sales restrictions and resale price interventions.

Furthermore, it was specifically emphasized that the investigations launched by the Competition Board do not definitively indicate that the firms in question have violated the law. It was stated that whether the companies are in a state of violation will be clarified at the end of the investigation process.

According to the Competition Board's decision, the investigation will examine in detail the effects of the companies' pricing and online sales policies toward their distributors and retailers on the competitive environment in the country.