Investigation launched in December 2024 now closed following the acceptance of commitments addressing the Authority’s concerns.

The Italian Competition Authority has accepted FiberCop and TIM’s commitments, thereby closing its investigation into the Master Service Agreement (MSA) signed by the two companies following the divestment of the network in July 2024. The commitments were accepted after an extensive consultation process involving stakeholders across the sector – including through a market test – as well as the Italian Communications Authority (AgCom). This process sought to secure effective competition across retail and wholesale markets while maintaining appropriate incentives for future investments by market operators.

The investigation, opened on 17 December 2024, focused on specific provisions of the agreement. These included exclusivity clauses between TIM and FiberCop for network access services, rebate schemes granted by FiberCop on network access prices, and the terms governing the transfer of indefeasible rights of use (IRUs) for fibre lines serving business customers. The Authority had opened the investigation amid concerns that the agreement could restrict competition in both wholesale and retail markets, weaken incentives for future investments by market operators in fibre infrastructure (FTTH), and affect the migration of TIM’s customers from copper to fibre networks.

Given the differing levels of network deployment across the country – in terms of the type of technology used and the degree of infrastructure-based competition – the Authority sought to promote both static and dynamic competition. This applies both in areas where competing FTTH networks already operate alongside the incumbent, and in areas with weaker infrastructure-based competition, where further investments need to be encouraged, while ensuring that customers remain free to switch between operators.

Against this background, the commitments significantly reduce the duration of the exclusivity clauses. In areas where the FTTH network remains underdeveloped, they also make exclusivity conditional on new investments. The parties have also agreed to substantially revise the mechanism – as originally envisaged in the MSA – allowing FiberCop to provide intermediation services in connection with migration requests from TIM’s customers. The revised framework safeguards TIM’s independence and addresses concerns that the mechanism might have discouraged migration. The Authority also found the changes to the rebate scheme sufficient to address its concerns.

Rome, 23 February 2026

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The companies made misleading claims and left out key information about discounts on alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks through the website www.bernabei.it and the Bernabei app

The Italian Competition Authority has fined Bernabei s.r.l. and Bernabei Liquori s.r.l. a total of 400,000 euro for engaging in an unfair commercial practice. The Authority found that, through the website www.bernabei.it and the Bernabei app, the two companies make misleading claims and leave out key information about price reductions on alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks advertised as being on sale. In particular, a significant number of items promoted as “special offers” are marketed unfairly. The prices advertised as “discounted” either match or exceed the lowest price applied in the previous 30 days, contrary to consumer protection legislation on the accuracy of price reductions. The Authority also found that the indication of “full” and/or “list” prices (displayed as crossed out on www.bernabei.it and the Bernabei app) is misleading and incomplete; these prices were never applied, or only to a very limited extent, outside promotional periods.

Rome, 20 February 2026

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The Authority takes action against Rialto S.p.A., which operates the supermarket chain Il Gigante, MD S.p.A., owner of the MD supermarket chain, and SELEX Gruppo Commerciale S.p.A., which operates the Famila supermarket chain

Following the conclusion of interim measure proceedings into Harmont & Blaine S.p.A., the Italian Competition Authority has also taken action in relation to the supermarket chains Il Gigante, MD and Famila. Acting on a complaint from the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza), with which it is cooperating, the Authority has opened two investigations and initiated one moral suasion action over ambush marketing linked to the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The conduct may breach Article 10 of Law Decree No. 16/2020.

The first of such investigations concerns Rialto S.p.A., which operates the supermarket chain named Il Gigante. It relates to its “TecnOlimpiadi” advertising campaign, carried out from 15 to 28 January 2026, during which the company promoted the sale of household appliances and electronic products using the five Olympic rings and images of the Winter Games. The second investigation concerns MD S.p.A., owner of the MD supermarket chain. It relates to the advertising campaign named “Inizio dei Giochi Olimpici – T Edition”, featuring images of the five Olympic rings and the Olympic flame, among other things.

Lastly, the Authority has initiated a moral suasion action against SELEX Gruppo Commerciale S.p.A., which operates the Famila supermarket chain, in relation to an advertising campaign evoking the Olympic symbols.

Rome, 19 February 2026

Authority concerned that adverts for the Braun Skin-i Expert hair removal device may have misled consumers by overstating its effectiveness

The Italian Competition Authority has launched an investigation into Procter & Gamble S.r.l. amid concerns that the marketing campaign for the Braun Skin i-Expert IPL hair removal device – which highlighted the product’s effectiveness and how long the results last – may amount to an unfair commercial practice.

In the Authority’s view, the adverts shown on a range of communication channels (TV, social media, a dedicated website, in-store materials and outdoor billboards) – featuring the claim “hair-free for two years” (or similar) – may mislead consumers by overstating the effectiveness of the device. The Authority is also concerned that these claims may not be backed by sufficient evidence.

Rome, 12 February 2026

Regulation to come into force on 16 March. Key changes include an extension of the validity period to three years and an additional score for companies applying for renewal that have already held the rating continuously over at least three rating periods

The new Implementing Regulation on the Legality Rating (AGCM decision No. 31812 of 27 January 2026) has been published in the Official Gazette (No. 33 of 10 February 2026) and will come into force on 16 March. The Regulation has been updated to reflect established enforcement practice and developments in case law. It also takes into account the feedback and suggestions submitted by stakeholders during the public consultation.

Companies can already consult the new Regulation and the related documents, available in Italian on the Authority’s website. A dedicated Notice is also available, providing guidance to companies on the new regulatory framework, including the interim provisions.

The new Regulation introduces several key changes, including:

• a three-year validity period for legality ratings awarded or renewed under the new framework;
• an additional score for companies applying for renewal that have already held the rating continuously over at least three rating periods;
• the issuance of the legality rating certificate also in English, making it easier to use in international markets.

To reflect the longer duration and incentive-based nature of the rating, the legality requirements have been strengthened – particularly in relation to criminal, administrative and judicial grounds affecting eligibility – while stricter consequences now apply in the event of breaches of information obligations.

From 16 March, companies will be required to use the new Forms and Templates, which will be made available in Italian on the WebRating platform and the Legality Rating section of the Authority’s website.

Rome, 11 February 2026

The company refused to accept direct debit payments on non-Italian SEPA IBANs or allowed them only under more burdensome conditions than those applied to Italian IBANs

The Italian Competition Authority has fined Agos Ducato SpA 800,000 euro, following an investigation conducted under article 9 of Regulation (EU) No. 260/2012 (the SEPA Regulation). Between 2014 and 2023, the company refused to accept direct debit payments on non-Italian SEPA IBANs or allowed them only under more burdensome conditions than those applied to Italian IBANs, in breach of the principle of equal treatment set out in Article 9 of the SEPA Regulation.

Article 9 of the SEPA Regulation requires payment recipients to accept IBANs from any SEPA Country, without imposing restrictions based on where the account is held, so that cross-border payments are treated in the same way as domestic payments. Whether in the context of a credit transfer or direct debit in euro, IBAN discrimination creates a barrier to the European single market, as it restricts the free movement of financial services and, as a result, the development of a single payments market. By ultimately ensuring the use of a single IBAN throughout the entire SEPA area, this provision removes the practical obstacles to accessing a payment account in the Country where consumers wish to purchase goods or services.

Rome, 9 February 2026

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The online travel agency used deceptive design strategies and manipulative techniques, known as dark patterns, to present the alleged benefits of subscribing to Prime and to require consumers to sign up for and remain subscribed to the service.

The Italian Competition Authority has fined Vacaciones eDreams S.L., eDreams International Network S.L. and eDreams S.r.l. a total of 9 million euro for engaging in two separate unfair commercial practices involving visual and emotional persuasion in the digital environment through dark patterns.

The Authority found that, in offering flights and accommodation through their website and app, the companies used misleading claims and undue influence techniques, including manipulative strategies, to induce consumers – sometimes unknowingly – to subscribe to their Prime service. To this end, eDreams provided ambiguous information about the features and benefits of the Prime subscription, and relied on time-pressure techniques and artificial scarcity to rush purchasing decisions and steer consumers towards subscribing to Prime. The Authority also identified misleading claims about subscription discounts and a lack of transparency regarding the existence of price differences depending on whether users accessed the eDreams website directly or via metasearch engines, as well as on their Prime subscription status.

Consumers’ freedom of choice was further compromised by the fact that eDreams preselected the most expensive subscription option, namely Prime Plus. In addition, users who were not eligible for the free trial were nonetheless steered towards it and then immediately charged the annual subscription fee, without adequate prior notification.

These conducts, which amount to a misleading and aggressive practice, are in breach of articles 20, 21, 22, 23(1)(g), 24, 25 and 26(f) of the Consumer Code and led to the imposition of a 6,000,000 euro fine.

The Authority also found that the companies prevented consumers from exercising their right of withdrawal – both before the end of the trial period and throughout their Prime subscription – by using retention strategies, including via their customer service. This second practice amounts to an aggressive practice, in breach of articles 20, 24, 25 and 26(f) of the Consumer Code, and resulted in the imposition of an additional fine of 3,000,000 euro.

Rome, 4 February 2026

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The company appears to have published advertisements – online and on major social networks – often featuring the Olympic symbol and/or the hashtags #MilanoCortina and #MilanoCortina2026, thereby directly referencing the event.

Following a complaint by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza), the Italian Competition Authority has opened an investigation into Harmont & Blaine S.p.A. in conjunction with interim measure proceedings aimed at the provisional removal of the advertisements. The company is thought to have engaged in ambush marketing in relation to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Harmont & Blaine S.p.A. has in fact published advertisements, both online and on major social networks, which – also in combination with the company’s distinctive signs – frequently feature the Olympic symbol (consisting of five coloured rings) and/or the hashtags #MilanoCortina and #MilanoCortina2026, thereby directly and explicitly referencing the event. Influencers were also used as part of this practice.

Since Harmont & Blaine S.p.A. is not among the official sponsors of the Olympics, the use of these advertisements seems to create an unlawful association between the “Harmont & Blaine” brand and the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Games, in breach of the prohibition against ambush marketing set out in Article 10 of Law Decree No. 16/2020. Inspections at the premises of Harmont & Blaine S.p.A. were carried out yesterday by the Authority’s officials, assisted by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police.

Rome, 30 January 2026

According to the Authority, the companies may have coordinated to limit the mobility of automated packaging machine validation specialists.

Prompted by a complaint on its whistleblowing platform, the Italian Competition Authority has launched an investigation into the companies Akkodis Italy, Coesia, G.D, I.E.M.A., I.M.A., S.I.A. and SPAIQ over a possible anti-competitive agreement in the market for the recruitment of automated packaging machine validation specialists.

According to the Authority – in what is its first investigation into a restrictive agreement in the labour market – the companies seem to have coordinated so that none of them would hire automated machine validation specialists (for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, tea, coffee and tobacco) who had previously worked for at least one of the other companies. The Authority’s officials carried out inspections at the main premises of the companies, with the support of the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza).

Rome, 26 January 2026

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