ACCC institutes proceedings against FCHEM (Aust) Limited, Osmose Australia Pty Ltd and Edward Mark Greenacre for alleged price-fix

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court, Sydney against FCHEM (Aust) Limited, Osmose Australia Pty Ltd and Mr Edward Mark Greenacre, the former Managing Director of Osmose Australia Pty Ltd, alleging cartel behaviour in the timber preservatives industry.

The ACCC's allegations concern conduct over a number of years involving price fixing in relation to the supply of various wood preservative chemicals including CCA (copper chromium arsenic) and LOSP (light organic solvent preservatives). These products are widely used by the timber industry.

The ACCC is seeking:

• declarations
• injunctions, and
• pecuniary penalties.

A directions hearing has been set for 7 September 2006 before Justice Cowdroy.