Philips România fined 1 million euros for obstructing competition inspection

The Romanian Competition Council has fined Philips România SRL approximately 5.18 million lei (about 1 million euros) for providing incomplete documentation during an unannounced inspection. The sanction follows an incident where an employee uninstalled the WhatsApp application from a professional mobile device after being informed of the inspection, thereby restricting authorities' access to potentially relevant information.

The inspections, authorized by the Bucharest Court of Appeal, took place between July 28 and July 30, 2026. They were conducted at the headquarters of Philips România and at the premises of ten companies that distribute or resell Philips products. The investigation focuses on the market for ultrasonography medical equipment and medical devices for patient monitoring used in hospitals and clinics.

The Competition Council noted that the execution of these inspections does not constitute a determination of guilt regarding the companies' potential anti-competitive practices. Under competition law, companies that obstruct inspections or refuse to cooperate can face fines ranging from 0.5% to 1% of their total turnover from the previous financial year.