What are the primary findings of the Competition Commission's investigation?
The Competition Commission concluded a comprehensive three-year investigation into the petroleum sector, finding no evidence of illegal cartels within the refining, trading, or retail gasoline and diesel industries. However, the probe, which officially commenced in November 2022 and reached its conclusion in December 2025, highlighted several market irregularities that necessitate regulatory intervention.
The findings led to a formal decision by the Commission's Plenary, which was published in the Government Gazette on November 2, 2026. While the investigation did not uncover price-fixing conspiracies, it identified structural weaknesses that could hinder fair competition. To address these, the Commission has proposed a bundle of four specific measures designed to stabilize the market and protect consumers from potential implicit collusion.
The timeline of the investigation
The investigation was a long-term regulatory effort. It began in late 2022 and involved a deep dive into the operational mechanics of the fuel supply chain. Although the Plenary reached its decision in December 2025, the administrative process meant the official legal publication occurred nearly a year later, in November 2026. This delay underscores the complexity of regulating the petroleum industry and the thoroughness required to evaluate market dynamics.
How will the new safety stock management system work?
A central pillar of the proposed reforms is the establishment of an Independent Central Authority for the Maintenance of Safety Stocks. This new body would operate under the supervision of the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAAEEY) to ensure that the nation maintains sufficient fuel reserves to withstand supply disruptions.
Under this proposed system, the Independent Central Authority would manage safety stocks on behalf of obligated companies. Instead of companies managing their own disparate reserves, a centralized approach would ensure more efficient oversight. To fund this service, obligated entities would pay a specific fee. Crucially, the Commission has proposed that this fee be calculated based on a company's total consumption from the previous year, rather than on their specific import volumes. This shift aims to create a more equitable distribution of costs across the industry.
What changes are being proposed for fuel storage and exclusivity?
The Commission is moving to eliminate restrictive practices in the fuel storage sector by targeting exclusivity clauses in commercial contracts. Currently, some agreements between companies regarding the storage and servicing of fuel in third-party facilities may contain clauses that effectively prevent competition.
The new regulations would prohibit businesses operating in the petroleum sector from including de facto exclusivity clauses in their storage and service contracts. This means that when a company uses a third-party facility to store its fuel, the contract cannot legally restrict them from using other providers or services in a way that stifles market competition. The goal is to ensure that storage infrastructure remains accessible and that no single player can monopolize access through restrictive legal frameworks.
Improving storage oversight through a unified registry
In addition to contract changes, the Commission advocates for the creation of a unified registry to monitor petroleum storage capacities. This registry would serve several functions:
- Tracking all existing petroleum storage facilities.
- Monitoring potential shortages in storage capacity.
- Identifying underutilized or unallocated storage spaces.
- Assigning a specific competent authority to maintain and update the data.
By centralizing this information, regulators and market participants can gain a clearer picture of the industry's logistical health, preventing bottlenecks that could lead to price volatility.
How will price transparency be improved for consumers?
To combat the risk of "silent collusion" in the refining sector and to empower consumers, the Commission is proposing significant updates to how fuel prices are disclosed and accessed. A major component of this is the transition from static, web-based disclosures to a dynamic, user-friendly digital ecosystem.
The Commission suggests that the current method of price notification—where companies notify trading firms of domestic market prices via electronic means by 10:00 AM on the day of delivery—needs refinement. Specifically, they propose that these notifications should be handled through individualized communication with trading companies, without the public disclosure of the specific prices that currently occurs on the website of the former General Secretariat for Commerce and Consumer Protection. This move is intended to reduce the risk of price signaling between competitors.
The introduction of a real-time digital application
To replace the current system and provide better utility to the public, the Commission is calling for the development of a dedicated digital application. This app is intended to be a user-friendly tool that provides real-time updates on fuel costs. Key features of the proposed application include:
- Real-time pricing: Users can see current prices per product at specific stations.
- Geographic granularity: Prices will be categorized by station and by geographic region.
- Location-based services: Using current GPS data, the app will identify the nearest stations and display their evolving prices.
- Data integration: The app would build upon and enhance existing databases such as fuel.gr and the Price Observatory.
This digital shift aims to move transparency from a bureaucratic requirement to a functional consumer tool, allowing drivers to make informed decisions at the pump based on immediate, localized data.
Key takeaways
- The Competition Commission's three-year study found no cartels but identified market irregularities.
- A new Independent Central Authority will manage safety stocks under RAAEY supervision.
- Safety stock fees will be based on annual consumption rather than import volumes.
- Exclusivity clauses in third-party fuel storage contracts will be prohibited.
- A new digital application will provide consumers with real-time, location-based fuel prices.
FAQ: Fuel Market Competition
What was the main result of the Competition Commission's investigation?
The investigation, which lasted from 2022 to 2025, did not find evidence of cartels in the refining or retail sectors. However, it did identify market irregularities and structural issues that require new regulatory measures to ensure fair competition and transparency.
How will the new safety stock fees be calculated?
The proposed system shifts the funding model for safety stocks. Instead of being based on the volume of imports a company makes, the fees paid to the new Independent Central Authority will be calculated based on the company's total fuel consumption from the previous year.
Why are exclusivity clauses being targeted?
Exclusivity clauses in storage and service contracts can create barriers to entry and prevent fair competition. By prohibiting these de facto clauses, the Commission aims to ensure that storage infrastructure is used more efficiently and remains accessible to all market participants.
What is the purpose of the proposed digital application?
The digital application is designed to give consumers real-time access to fuel prices. It will allow users to find the cheapest nearby stations based on their current location, providing much higher transparency than current web-based price lists.
Will the new rules affect how companies communicate prices?
Yes. The Commission proposes that price notifications for the domestic market be made through private, individualized communication with trading companies. This is intended to prevent the public disclosure of prices that could facilitate implicit collusion among competitors.
Conclusion
The Competition Commission's decision marks a significant shift toward a more regulated and transparent fuel market. By addressing structural issues through centralized safety stock management, the removal of restrictive storage contracts, and the implementation of real-time digital pricing tools, the regulator aims to mitigate the risks of implicit collusion and market instability. While the investigation did not uncover active cartels, the proposed measures recognize that transparency and logistical oversight are essential to maintaining a healthy, competitive environment for both petroleum companies and the end consumers who rely on their products.
