Brazil: CADE launches proceedings against steelmakers

Brazilian competition regulators CADE have launched a formal proceeding against a local Steel Industry Association, IABr. The agency has accused the group of abusing their rights to review, engaging in false or sham litigations in order to legally damage the country’s rebar importers.

The case stems from accusations by ABRIFA (National Association for Steel and Steel Industry Imports), claiming that IABr has presented over 40 questionable legal challenges, engaging in sham litigation – creating difficulties that limit or completely block the entry of new companies to the market – against rebar importers by constantly questioning their adherence to local safety regulations.

Due to IABr’s actions, Brazilian customs authorities would constantly block new rebar imports, creating mounting costs for importers and preventing the goods from entering the country. IABr is to be notified of the charges officially before presenting their defending arguments, after which CADE will take time to deliberate.

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