Amazon will likely face an EU investigation in 2025 into whether it favors its own brand products on its online marketplace.as European antitrust regulators prepare a case under landmark rules, people with knowledge of the matter said.
The US online retailer could face a fine of up to 10% of its global annual turnover if found guilty of violating the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA)which aims to curb the power of big technology.
Timetable and decision on whether to go ahead with an investigation will be made by new EU antitrust chiefTeresa Ribera, in the coming months, the people said. The Spaniard will take up her position in December, replacing the outgoing Margrethe Vestager.
Amazon said it complies with the WFD and has worked constructively with the Commission on its plans since the designation of two of its services as important gateways between companies and consumers and, therefore, subject to the new rules.
The DMA, which came into force last year, bans Amazon and six other big tech companiesgive preference to your products and services on their platforms, among other requirements.
The European Commission, that ensures compliance with EU antitrust regulations, said in March that it was collecting data and information about the deal that Amazon gives its own brand products on the Amazon Store. He declined to comment Thursday.
In its compliance report published in March, Amazon stated that its classification models do not differentiate whether the product is sold by Amazon Retail or a selleror if it is an Amazon or third-party product.
Apple, Alphabet’s Google, and Meta Platforms are currently being investigated by the DMAand Ribera will decide on the results and not Vestager, one of the people said.
