EU Commission Opens Investigation Into Possible Anticompetitive Practices by SAP

In parallel to the opening of proceedings, the Commission has adopted a Preliminary Assessment summarizing the main facts of the case and identifying its competition concerns. To address the Commission's concerns, SAP may now submit commitments. The Commission will now carry out its in-depth investigation as a matter of priority. The opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome. SAP confirms that the European Commission has started formal proceedings involving the company. These proceedings address some areas of SAP's on-premise maintenance and support policies, which, according to an SAP statement, „are based on long-standing standards that are common across the global software sector." SAP believes that its policies and actions are fully in line with competition rules. However, the company wants to take the issues raised seriously and work closely with the EU Commission to resolve them. SAP does not anticipate the engagement with the European Commission to result in material impacts on its financial performance. 

Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition,
European Commission

"Thousands of companies across Europe use SAP’s software to run their business, as well as its related maintenance and support services. We are concerned that SAP may have restricted competition in this crucial aftermarket, by making it harder for rivals to compete, leaving European customers with fewer choices and higher costs. This is why we want to have a closer look at SAP’s potentially distortive business practices, to make sure that companies that rely on SAP’s software can freely choose the maintenance and support services that best fits their business needs“, says Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition.

Official communication from the EU Commission (English)