Possible illicit conduct in promotion and sales of clothing articles and accessories, in violation of the provisions of the Consumer Code. These are the reasons behind the investigation launched by the Antitrust against some companies in the Armani group e of the Dior group.
Antitrust begins investigation against Armani and Dior
The investigation, we read in a note from the Competition and Market Authority, was started on the companies Giorgio Armani Spa and Ga Operations Spa and on Christian Dior Couture Sa, Christian Dior Italia Srl and Manufactures Dior Srl. In both cases, explains the Antitrust, “the companies may have presented untrue ethical and social responsibility statements, in particular regarding working conditions and compliance with legality among their suppliers".
According to the Antitrust, in some cases the companies, we read in the note, would have emphasized the craftsmanship and excellence of the workmanship. In response to these declarations, however, they would have made use of supplies from laboratories they employ workers who would receive inadequate wages. They would also operate working hours beyond legal limits and in insufficient health and safety conditions, in contrast to the vaunted levels of production excellence.
On Tuesday, the Authority's officials, with the help of the Special Antitrust Unit of the Financial Police, carried out inspections at the headquarters of the companies Giorgio Armani Spa and Ga Operations Spa and also at the headquarters of the Christian Dior Italia Srl company.
The Antitrust specified that it had started the investigation also following theactivity carried out by the Prosecutor's Office and the Court of Milan which a few months ago placed Giorgio Armani Operations spa under "judicial administration" on charges of having facilitated gangmastering carried out by exploiters of Chinese nationality.
Armani: “Unfounded accusations”
Armani believes the Antitrust accusations are unfounded. The company writes this in a note, in which the group "takes note of the opening of an investigation into alleged unfair commercial practices relating to our institutional communication in the field of corporate social responsibility". “The companies involved – continues the note – are fully committed to collaborating with the authorities, rThey believe the accusations have no basis and are confident in a positive outcome of the investigation."
(Last update: 15.40 on 17 July).
