Compliance Radar
Who was sanctioned, and for what?
Fines, court rulings and incidents from Europe and North America: 718 cases from 32 jurisdictions, each with an official source and checked against that source before publication. Filter by country, area of law and sector. Click a chart to drill down one level.
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Where?
by authority- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission) 11 cases 100 % · €2.04m
What for?
by area of lawAll areas of law
Who?
by sectorAll sectors
- Healthcare 2 cases 18 % · €56,819
- Retail and e-commerce 2 cases 18 % · €463,205
- Other 2 cases 18 % · €1.4m
- Construction and real estate 1 case 9 % · €2,403
- Financial services and insurance 1 case 9 % · €22,602
- Food and agriculture 1 case 9 % · €20,022
- Telecoms, IT and software 1 case 9 % · €19,128
- Defence and security 1 case 9 % · €50,855
When?
per quarter, by date of decision| Period | Cases | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2023 | 0 | — |
| Q4 2023 | 0 | — |
| Q1 2024 | 0 | — |
| Q2 2024 | 0 | — |
| Q3 2024 | 1 | €695 |
| Q4 2024 | 1 | €1.4m |
| Q1 2025 | 1 | €4,722 |
| Q2 2025 | 1 | €255,650 |
| Q3 2025 | 2 | €226,683 |
| Q4 2025 | 1 | €22,602 |
| Q1 2026 | 0 | — |
| Q2 2026 | 2 | €102,952 |
| Q3 2026 | 2 | €22,425 |
11 cases
13 Aug 2026 „О-Рент“ ЕООД (sowie „Инжконсулт“ ЕООД und „Земекоп“ ЕООД)Construction machinery cartel: fine for O-Rent, compliance programme for all participants €2,403
The Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) found a cartel in public tenders for mining and construction machinery (price fixing and market sharing, Art. 15 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act, Art. 101 TFEU). Inzhkonsult and Zemekop, as a single undertaking, were exempted from the fine; O-Rent received a sanction of 2,403.07 EUR. All three companies must introduce a competition law compliance programme within 60 days and report on it.
The authority now expressly requires compliance programmes – anyone bidding in tenders should have one before it is ordered.
Competition law in tenders; compliance programme
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Art. 15 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 und 2 ZZK; Art. 101 Abs. 1 lit. a und c AEUV
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Construction and real estate
- Mitigating circumstances
- Immunity from fines for two participants (leniency programme)
- Published
- 20 Aug 2026
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 797 от 13.08.2026; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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6 Aug 2026 „Чили Хилс Фудс“ ООД (Chili Hills Foods OOD)Chili Hills Foods: 20,022 EUR for false copying allegations against competitor €20,022
From May 2024, in social media videos (campaign ‘Създавай! Не копирай!’), the company falsely accused a competing family business for hot chillies of having stolen its business, ideas and concept, and promoted the clips partly through paid advertising. The Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) regarded this as unfair damage to reputation (Art. 30 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act), imposed 4% of 2025 net turnover (500,555 EUR), i.e. 20,022 EUR, and ordered immediate cessation. Appeals have been lodged against the decision.
Allegations against competitors on social media are only permissible if based on verifiable facts – paid reach aggravates the sanction.
Statements about competitors on social media
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law
- Legal basis
- Art. 30 ZZK (Schädigung des guten Rufs eines Wettbewerbers)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Food and agriculture
- Published
- 19 Aug 2026
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 743 от 06.08.2026; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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25 Jun 2026 Самостоятелна медико-диагностична лаборатория „Лина“ ЕООДLaboratory Lina lures customers with free blood tests – 52,097 EUR for unfair competition €52,097
On application by its competitor Ramus, the Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) established that the laboratory had offered packages of medical laboratory tests free of charge nationwide over extended periods (only against a fee of 2 leva for taking blood) – conduct shown by no other market participant outside joint campaigns. It found an infringement of the general clause of unfair competition law (Art. 29 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act) and imposed 0.3% of 2024 turnover, i.e. 52,096.55 EUR. Appeals have been lodged against the decision.
Permanent free offers to win customers can be unfair if they deviate significantly from market practice and drive out competitors.
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law
- Legal basis
- Art. 29 ZZK (Generalklausel unlauterer Wettbewerb)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Published
- 2 Jul 2026
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 591 от 25.06.2026; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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30 Apr 2026 „Вазовски машиностроителни заводи“ ЕАД (VMZ)Arms manufacturer VMZ used a partner’s know-how for disposable grenade launchers – 50,855 EUR €50,855
On application by the client Armar, the Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) found that VMZ had used technical documentation on disposable grenade launchers that had been provided in confidence (trade secret) contrary to the confidentiality agreements and good commercial practice (Art. 37(1) ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act). Sanction of 50,855.09 EUR and obligation to cease, with immediate enforceability. Appeals have been lodged against the decision.
Design documents provided in confidence may only be used within the agreed scope – especially in sensitive industries.
Handling confidential know-how of business partners
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law
- Legal basis
- Art. 37 Abs. 1 ZZK (Geschäftsgeheimnisse)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Defence and security
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 389 от 30.04.2026; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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11 Dec 2025 „ЗП Либра“ ООДZP Libra: 44,205 leva for poaching customers using competitor’s trade secrets €22,602
With the help of an employee of its competitor I&G Insurance Brokers who later moved to ZP Libra, the broker unfairly concluded a brokerage agreement to the detriment of the competitor and used the competitor’s trade secrets to poach customers. The Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) imposed 29,470 leva (1% of 2024 turnover, Art. 36(1) ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act) and 14,735 leva (0.5%, Art. 37(1) ZZK); fines totalling 1,000 leva were also imposed on the employee.
When hiring employees from competitors, make sure they do not bring customer lists or secrets with them – otherwise both the company and the individual are liable.
Taking customer data and trade secrets when changing employer
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law
- Legal basis
- Art. 36 Abs. 1, Art. 37 Abs. 1 ZZK
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Financial services and insurance
- Liability of senior managers
- Fines on the employee involved (1,000 leva in total)
- Published
- 16 Dec 2025
Original amount 44,205 BGN, converted at the ECB reference rate of 11 Dec 2025.
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 1175 от 11.12.2025; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
- КЗК санкционира „ЗП Либра“ ООД за нелоялна конкуренция, 17.12.2025 (Archivkopie web.archive.org von cpc.bg) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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25 Sep 2025 „Смарт Софт“ ЕООДBidder Smart Soft denigrates competitor in letters to schools – 37,410 leva €19,128
During ongoing tenders for school equipment, Smart Soft sent dozens of identical letters to schools in the Plovdiv/Pazardzhik/Panagyurishte region containing untrue or distorted statements about its competitor Evroklas-konsult. The Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) found damage to reputation (Art. 30 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act) over around two months and imposed 3% of 2024 turnover, i.e. 37,410 leva. An appeal has been lodged against the decision.
Have sales letters about competitors – especially to public contracting authorities – legally reviewed before they are sent.
Communication about competitors in sales
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law
- Legal basis
- Art. 30 ZZK (Schädigung des guten Rufs eines Wettbewerbers)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Telecoms, IT and software
Original amount 37,410 BGN, converted at the ECB reference rate of 25 Sep 2025.
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 869 от 25.09.2025; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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24 Jul 2025 „Билла България“ ЕООД (Billa Bulgaria)Billa advertises oil containing 80% sunflower oil as olive oil – 405,936 leva €207,555
In June 2024, the retail chain advertised the product ‘Маслиново масло екстра върджин 20% – Basso Blend’ on its website, on radio, on television and online in such a way that olive oil was in the foreground, although the product consisted of 80% sunflower oil. The Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) opened proceedings of its own motion, considered the advertising misleading (Art. 32(1) in conjunction with Art. 33 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act) and imposed 0.032% of 2024 turnover, i.e. 405,936 leva.
Advertising must not highlight the share of a high-quality ingredient in a way that misleads customers about the composition – responsibility lies with the advertiser, not the agency.
Product advertising and labelling of composition
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Consumer protection and online retail · Misleading advertising and pricing
- Legal basis
- Art. 32 Abs. 1 i. V. m. Art. 33 ZZK
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Retail and e-commerce
Original amount 405,936 BGN, converted at the ECB reference rate of 24 Jul 2025.
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 691 от 24.07.2025; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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8 May 2025 „Кауфланд България ЕООД енд Ко“ КДKaufland demanded payments from suppliers for marketing and logistics – 500,000 leva €255,650
Following a preliminary investigation into rising food prices, the Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) found that Kaufland had demanded and received payments from five suppliers for ‘marketing services’ and for ‘optimisation of goods flows’ and logistics that were not fully connected with the sale of their products. For the two prohibited trading practices (Art. 37b(1)(4) ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act) it imposed 250,000 leva each, a total of 500,000 leva. An appeal has been lodged against the decision.
Charges to suppliers are only permissible if they are matched by a specific service connected with the sale.
Fair terms towards suppliers
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Abuse of market power
- Legal basis
- Art. 37b Abs. 1 Nr. 4 ZZK (verbotene Handelspraktiken in der Lebensmittelkette, UTP-Richtlinie)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Retail and e-commerce
Original amount 500,000 BGN, converted at the ECB reference rate of 8 May 2025.
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 429 от 08.05.2025; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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6 Feb 2025 Медицински център „Люлин Мед“ ООДMC Lyulin Med presented practice as branch of the Military Medical Academy – 9,236 leva €4,722
Following a tip-off from the Military Medical Academy (VMA), the Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) found that the centre presented its gynaecological practice as a VMA branch with signs reading ‘МЦ „ЛЮЛИН МЕД“ АГ – ВМА ФИЛИАЛ’ and corresponding online information. For misleading conduct (Art. 31 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act) it imposed 0.4% of 2023 turnover, i.e. 9,236 leva. An appeal has been lodged against the decision.
Cooperation with renowned institutions must not be presented as affiliation on signage and in online profiles.
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Consumer protection and online retail · Misleading advertising and pricing
- Legal basis
- Art. 31 ZZK (Irreführung)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Healthcare
Original amount 9,236 BGN, converted at the ECB reference rate of 6 Feb 2025.
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 131 от 06.02.2025; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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21 Nov 2024 „Техномат-Меркурий“ ЕООД, ТПКИ „Здравоход“ (Rechtsnachfolger ТПКИ „Комфорт“), „Кавалер Юнион 2001“ ЕООДWork shoe cartel in tenders – 2.75 million leva for three manufacturers €1.4m
The Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) found that three suppliers had fixed prices and shared markets in public tenders by various contracting authorities for professional work shoes (Art. 15 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act, Art. 101 TFEU). Sanctions: 1,678,897 leva (Technomat-Merkuriy), 657,675 leva (disabled persons’ cooperative Zdravohod) and 409,424 leva (Kavaler Union 2001), a total of 2,745,996 leva. Appeals have been lodged against the decision.
Coordination on prices or on ‘who gets which contract’ is a hardcore cartel carrying a risk of millions, even among small niche suppliers.
Competition law in tenders
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Art. 15 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 und 2 ZZK; Art. 101 Abs. 1 lit. a und c AEUV
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- under appeal
- Sector
- Other
Original amount 2,745,996 BGN, converted at the ECB reference rate of 21 Nov 2024.
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 1254 от 21.11.2024; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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19 Sep 2024 „Българиън Дрийм Травъл“ ЕООДBulgarian Dream Travel feigns experience with education fairs – 1,360 leva €695
The company gave universities and schools the impression of many years of experience with international education fairs and of supposedly upcoming tours, although it had not actually held any such events; in doing so, it relied on the relationships of the applicant SRT International. The Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition, KZK) regarded this conduct over more than one and a half years as seriously misleading (Art. 31 ZZK – Bulgarian Protection of Competition Act) and imposed 8% of 2023 turnover (17,000 leva), i.e. 1,360 leva, plus reimbursement of costs of 6,000.26 leva.
Micro-enterprises are also liable for references and claims of experience – borrowed success stories are misleading.
- Authority / court
- Комисия за защита на конкуренцията (КЗК, Bulgarische Wettbewerbskommission)
- Area of law
- Consumer protection and online retail · Misleading advertising and pricing
- Legal basis
- Art. 31 ZZK (Irreführung)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Other
Original amount 1,360 BGN, converted at the ECB reference rate of 19 Sep 2024.
- КЗК Публичен електронен регистър – Производство (Решение № 944 от 19.09.2024; Volltext als PDF im Register) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link