((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
(Added quote to paragraph 2 and reactions to paragraphs 4 and 5)
The French competition agency has fined 12 manufacturers and distributors of household appliances, including Electrolux ELUXb.ST, Whirlpool WHR.N and LG 003550.KS, totaling 611 million euros ($635 million). ) for price agreement between 2007 and 2014.
“These practices have reduced competition between distributors and maintained artificially high prices for end consumers,” the competition authority said on Thursday.
Ten of the twelve companies did not dispute the alleged facts.
SEB SEBF.PA Group, which owns the Tefal and Rowenta brands and received the largest fine of 189.5 million euros, denied the accusations and said it planned to appeal the decision.
French retailer Fnac Darty FNAC.PA, which was fined 109 million euros, took note of the decision and said it would settle the transaction in 2025, using short-term financing .
Representatives for Electrolux, Whirlpool and LG did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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