Final report of the Hearing Officer in Case COMP/37.750 — Brasseries Kronenbourg, Brasseries Heineken

(pursuant to Article 15 of Commission Decision 2001/462/EC, ECSC of 23 May 2001 on the terms of reference of Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings — OJ L 162, 19.6.2001, p. 21)

(2005/C 175/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

The draft decision in the present case does not give rise to particular comments on the proceedings.

On 5 February 2004 the Commission sent a Statement of Objections to Groupe Danone, Brasserie Kronenbourg S.A, Heineken N.V and Heineken France S.A. Access to file was granted on 10 and 11 February 2004 for Groupe Danone and Brasserie Kronenbourg S.A. and on 12 February 2004 for Heineken N.V and Heineken S.A.

The parties responded in writing between 2 and 6 April 2004. All parties waived their right to an oral hearing.

In the light of responses to the Statement of Objections, the Commission limited the scope of the objections against the parties.

I conclude that the rights to be heard have been respected in the present case. The draft decision deals only with objections in respect of which the parties have been afforded the opportunity of making known their views.

Brussels, 22 September 2004.

Karen Williams

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