Randstad Holding nv, as the legal successor of Vedior N.V., announces that today the French Competition Council presented its findings on the alleged infringement of French Competition Laws by Groupe Vedior France and Vediorbis in France.

Vedior announced in November 2004 that the French competition authorities started an investigation. Later on, in November 2007, Groupe Vedior France and its subsidiary Vediorbis, received a statement of objections from the French Competition Council alleging exchanges of commercially sensitive information with competitors from 2003 to 2004 and a specific concerted practice in connection with one tender offer.

Vedior decided to enter into a settlement negotiation with the French competition authorities and obtained a reduction of fine in exchange for not challenging the objections and for the quality of its commitments to respect competition rules.

Today's findings state that Vediorbis has been involved in anti-competitive practices, while Groupe Vedior France was found not to be liable. Therefore the French Competition Council has imposed a fine of € 18.2 million to be paid by Vediorbis. Randstad has a provision in place of € 35 million related to the French competition investigation. Having received the findings just now, we will continue to study them carefully.

Randstad takes all matters of business conduct and ethics very seriously. Our code of conduct, integrity code and competition law guide are implemented throughout the group of companies. In relation to this case clear commitments have been provided to prevent any infringement in the future.

categories

tags