“The Digital Cartel Detection Software developed by AGON Solution has helped the Civil Engineering Office of the Canton of Graubünden detect potential cartel agreements early through statistical indicators, thereby making an important contribution to promoting transparent competition.”

In Switzerland, public authorities alone award contracts worth approximately 15 billion Swiss francs annually. Private clients award multiples of that amount.

Investigations by competition authorities reveal that providers repeatedly collude illegally to coordinate their offers. Such cartel agreements harm clients and the Swiss economy. Cartel prices are significantly higher compared to prices under competitive conditions. In the construction industry alone, private and public clients in Switzerland have overpaid billions in recent decades.

Since the new procurement law came into effect on January 1, 2022, public procurement offices are required to report suspected cartels to competition authorities.

Private clients are not subject to such an obligation but can proactively protect themselves against cartels through systematic analyses.