CADE signs agreements in gas water heater cartel investigation

On 10 December, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) signed a cease and desist agreement with the multinational company Rinnai, investigated in a case involving anticompetitive practices in the gas water heater market. 

The investigation was launched in September 2024, after the Office of the Superintendent General at CADE issued a technical opinion which pointed that Rinnai Brasil abused its dominant position, imposing minimum advertised price, and generating Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) effects in physical shops, as well as Resale Price Maintenance (RPM) effects in digital markets. 

In September 2024, the case was assigned to Commissioner José Levi. In June 2025, the defendant applied for a cease and desist agreement and the negotiation went on until November, when the final proposal was presented. 

After the signature, the company commits to cease the conduct, adopt measures to prevent new anticompetitive practices, and make a financial contribution of BRL 11,215,319.30 to the Fund for De Facto Joint Rights (FDD). The amount is to be paid in a single instalment within 180 days after the date of its publication. 

The Tribunal of CADE unanimously decided to follow the vote of the rapporteur.