7.2.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 35/23 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 19 December 1990 imposing a fine pursuant to Article 19 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 (1V/32.450) (Only the French text is authentic) (91/55/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to mari- time transport ('), and in particular Articles 16 and 19 thereof, Whereas : e I. THE FACTS Secrétama is a company constituted under civil law in 1954 for the purpose of providing services in connection with the operation of agreements between shipping companies. The company, whose registered office is at 167 rue de Courcelles, Paris, France, was appointed to carry out various coordi- nating, executive and monitoring tasks within the framework of the Shipowners’ Committees repre- senting shipping companies operating between France and various African States. By letters dated 3 and 22 July 1987, the Associ- ation of Danish Shipowners and the Danish Government respectively lodged complaints on the basis of Article 10 of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 () OJ No L 378, 31. 12. 1986, p. 4. @) against the practices carried out, notably in France, by the abovementioned Shipowners’ Committees and Secrétama which were allegedly aimed at restricting or closing access to competition in the trade. By letters dated 15 June and 5 October 1988, the Commission sent Secrétama a request for infor- mation pursuant to Article 16 of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86. The Commission drew attention in both letters to the provisions of Article 19 of the Regulation concerning the supply of incorrect information in response to a request for information. Secrétama replied to the requests by letters dated 13 July and 7 November 1988. By letter dated 22 December 1988, the Commis- sion informed Secrétama in a statement of objections that some of the information contained in the letters referred to in paragraph 2 appeared to be incorrect and that it therefore reserved be right to impose a fine on the basis of Article 19 (1) (b) of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86. By letter dated 6 February 1989 Secrétama submitted its comments on the statement of objections, and requested a hearing under Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86. This hearing took place on 20 June 1989. By letter of 28 February 1990, the Commission sent Secrétama new documents in support of its statement of objections asking for comments. By letter of 29 March 1990 Secrétama submitted its comments but did not, however, request a new hearing.