The European Commission confirmed on Thursday that it sent a Statement of Objections this month to many companies active in the cathode ray tubes, or CRT, industry, concerning their alleged participation in two separate cartels in violation of EC Treaty rules on restrictive business practices. A Statement of Objections, which is a charge sheet, is a formal step in Commission antitrust investigations.
The Commission's investigation focuses on two types of cathode ray tubes - color display tubes used in computer monitors and color picture tubes used in color television sets.
The Commission had carried out surprise inspections in November 2007 at the premises of manufacturers of cathode ray tubes.
A cathode ray tube is a glass envelope containing an electron gun and a fluorescent screen. When electrons from the electron gun strike the fluorescent screen, light is emitted creating an image on the screen. The single electron beam is processed to display moving pictures in natural colors.
In Statement of Objections, the Commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them. The parties concerned can reply in writing and may also request an oral hearing to present their comments on the case.
The Commission may then take a decision on whether the conduct addressed in the Statement of Objections is compatible or not with the EC Treaty's antitrust rules.
Meanwhile, electronics company Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV (PHG) reportedly said it received the Commission's charge sheet.
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