Raid on Blizzard in Mittersill: EU investigates suspicion of cartel!

Raid on Blizzard in Mittersill: EU investigates suspicion of cartel!

The European Commission carried out extensive searches in the ski equipment sector today, October 23, 2025. In particular, the EU investigators visited the Blizzard factory in Mittersill, Salzburg, to check possible violations of competition law. These investigations were confirmed by Tecnica Group, Blizzard's parent company, which at the same time emphasized that the company would fully cooperate with the authorities. Tecnica is also active in the market with brands such as Moon Boot, Lowa and Nordica.

The EU Commission has targeted several companies, but no specific names or locations have been published so far. According to the EU Commission, such inspections do not necessarily mean that the companies have actually acted in an anti-competitive manner. Officials from the national competition authority were also on site to accompany the investigation.

Competition law in the EU

Strict regulations apply in the European Union to protect free competition. Certain practices are illegal, including price fixing, market sharing or agreements on production limits. Companies that violate these rules can face fines of up to 10% of their global annual turnover. In some Member States, directors even face severe penalties, including imprisonment.

The competition rules set out in Articles 101-109 of the TFEU aim to protect trade between Member States and ensure competition. In particular, Article 101 prohibits agreements that affect trade and distort competition. Article 102 penalizes the abuse of a dominant market position.

Willingness to cooperate among companies

Tecnica Group has stated that it will offer full cooperation with the investigative authorities and provide all requested information. This is an important signal at a time when the EU is stepping up its measures to combat anti-competitive practices. Business risks increase when such allegations are raised; Companies must assess for themselves whether their business agreements are permissible under antitrust law.

EU legal provisions apply immediately in all Member States and national courts have jurisdiction to enforce these provisions. These measures are part of a comprehensive EU strategy to promote competition and combat cartels and market abuse, to ensure fair conditions of competition and ensure consumer protection.

In recent years, European competition authorities have continually improved their procedures for investigating cartels and other anti-competitive behavior. This is crucial to ensure that competition in the internal market continues in the future and that market conditions are fair for all players.

For further information on the European competition rules and their enforcement, those interested can visit europa.eu and bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de.

The events surrounding the Blizzard factory are a recent example of the strict measures the EU is taking to prevent unfair competition and protect the integrity of the internal market. The Commission's continued oversight will continue to be a central aspect of economic planning and legislation in Europe.

For precise details on the ongoing investigation, please refer to official reports from vienna.at.