15.11. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 317/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 17 October 1983 relating to a proceeding under Article 85 of the EEC Treaty (IV/30.064 - Cast iron and steel rolls) (Only the Dutch, English, French, German and Italian texts are authentic) (83/546/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Regulation No 17 of 6 February 1962: first Regulation implementing Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty (1), as last amended by the Act of Accession of Greece, and in particular Articles 3 and 15 thereof, Having regard to the Decision taken by the Commission on 25 May 1982 to open a proceeding on its own initiative under Article 3 of Regulation No 17, Having given the parties concerned the opportunity, in - accordance with Article 19 of Regulation No 17 and with Commission Regulation No 99/63/EEC of 25 July 1963 on the hearings provided for in Articles 19 (1) and (2) of Council Regulation No 17 (2), of making known their views on the matters to which the Commission has taken objection, After consulting the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions on 22 March 1983 in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation No 17, Whereas: I. THE FACTS The relevant products (1) The products which are the subject of this Decision are cast iron and cast steel rolls (including ‘steel base’ rolls), which are used to form materials (usually steel) into a shape, profile or dimension by (1) OJ No 13, 21. 2. 1962, p. 204/62. (2) OJ No 127, 20. 8. 1963, p. 2268/63. (2) 3) rolling. Most of these rolls (over 90% of production) are used by the steel industry for incorporation in rolling mills. Some rolls, however, are used for the rolling of other metals or in industries such as the paper and board, food and rubber industries. Forged rolls are not covered by this Decision, accordingly references to rolls in this Decision are to be read as references to cast rolls. Summary of the facts The Commission obtained information: (a) on 21/22 February 1980, in application of Article 11 (1) of Regulation No 17, from the Bundeskartellamt of the Federal Republic of Germany (B Kart A); and (b) on 26/27 June 1980, through officials of the Commission who carried out investigations under the Commission Decision of 24 June 1980 and pursuant to Article 14 (3) of Regulation No 17, at the offices of several manufacturers of cast rolls situated in Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom and at the office of the relevant French association of ‘undertakings. On the basis of this information it is evident that price agreements and concerted practices on prices existed in various forms between western European manufacturers of rolls for a period of at least 12 years between 1968 and 1980. The object of these agreements and practices was to protect home or traditional markets by restricting  price competition. The parties developed a system of