The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has closed an investigation of Symrise over suspected anti-competitive agreements with competitors in relation to fragrances and fragrance ingredients.
The anti-trust body said it had ended the probe of the German company on “administrative priority grounds” but its investigation into Firmenich International, Givaudan and IFF is continuing.
Symrise welcomed the decision by the CMA, saying it has always maintained that it has not participated in any unlawful agreements with competitors in the fragrance business.
“Symrise has argued strongly from the outset that it should never have been part of this investigation and that the actions taken by the authorities were not justified,” said a spokeswoman.
“Symrise remains committed to ethical business practices and regulatory compliance and looks forward to the similar investigations by other authorities against Symrise also being discontinued in the near future,” she added.
In March 2023, the CMA said it had reason to suspect anti-competitive behaviour in the supply of fragrances and fragrance ingredients for use in the manufacture of personal care and home care products.
In January 2024, the CMA extended the investigation to include suspected unlawful coordination by Firmenich International, Givaudan and IFF involving reciprocal arrangements relating to the hiring or recruitment of certain staff involved in the supply of fragrances and/or fragrance ingredients.
The CMA said a further update on the ongoing investigation would be issued in September.
