Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has launched investigations against six companies for delayed payments to suppliers, including Metalkas, a major metal shelving manufacturer based in Bydgoszcz. UOKiK's president, Tomasz Chróstny, stated that the aim is to address payment bottlenecks, a practice that impacts business operations and supplier relationships.
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In these cases, UOKiK first issued 'soft warnings', notifying companies of payment irregularities to encourage prompt improvements. Since early 2024, nearly 40 such warnings were issued, resulting in improved payment practices from about half of the notified companies. However, for firms like Metalkas that failed to address these issues, UOKiK has now initiated formal proceedings.
The investigations also target Bridgestone Poznań, Bruk-Bet, Eaton Automotive Systems, SLAWEX Pharmaceutical Distribution, and Rockfin, all of which allegedly delayed payments to suppliers. If violations are confirmed, UOKiK will calculate financial penalties.
The penalty process involves a two-step calculation: a maximum fine is determined, then adjusted based on factors such as the extent of delayed payments, the nature of the violation, and any corrective measures taken by the companies.
Source: www.biznes.meble.pl