The AMCU has fined Naftogaz Trading for unfair competition

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has imposed a fine of 226,000 UAH on Naftogaz Trading LLC for violating legislation on the protection of economic competition. 

The regulator determined that the company had not fully complied with a 2021 decision to cease using a name that is too similar to that of another entity—Gas Supply Company Naftogaz Trading LLC. Despite removing misleading information about partnerships with production companies from its website, the firm continued to operate under the disputed brand.

The Committee deemed the company’s actions to constitute unfair competition, as the use of identical designations misleads consumers. In addition to the fine, the company was again ordered to rectify the violation, despite holding valid licenses for the supply of gas and electricity. The AMCU emphasized that ignoring the requirements to change the name creates unequal conditions in the country’s energy market, which is particularly critical during the period of infrastructure restoration following attacks by the Russian Federation.

This decision is part of the regulator’s systematic efforts to rid the market of manipulative practices. The company is expected to be forced to change its name to avoid further sanctions.

Previously, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine uncovered two separate schemes of collusive behavior during public procurement conducted by strategic enterprises in the energy sector. Based on the investigation’s findings, the regulator fined four companies a total of 18.31 million UAH. 

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine fined two companies that colluded in a tender for the construction of the Podilsky Bridge.