The Scaffolding Association has renewed its call for its members to assess whether they were impacted by the notorious Truck Cartel as a crucial hearing looms on the horizon.

Between 1997 and 2011, leading European truck manufacturers—including MAN, Volvo, Renault, Mercedes, Iveco, DAF, and Scania—engaged in illicit price-fixing activities. These companies conspired to inflate truck prices, standardise charges for emissions technologies (Euro 3, 4, 5, and 6), and delay the introduction of these technologies.

All but Scania have confessed to violating EU competition rules, resulting in fines exceeding £2.5 billion imposed by the European Commission.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has been at the forefront of legal action against these manufacturers, advocating for those who overpaid for trucks during and after the cartel period.

With a pivotal hearing set for 18th July, the RHA hopes the court will grant the Collective Proceedings Order (CPO). This would enable over 18,000 commercial vehicle operators who have so far expressed interest to formally join the claim.

Individuals and businesses who believe they were overcharged due to the Truck Cartel still have an opportunity to participate in the legal proceedings. For more details, affected parties can visit www.truckcartellegalaction.com.

Those already registered will receive a ‘Rule 81’ Notice, a Tribunal-approved document detailing critical aspects of the claim, such as certification basis, conflict of interest management, opt-in procedures, and deadlines.

If the CPO is approved, the RHA plans to collaborate with data specialists Punter Southall Analytics and FinLegal to facilitate the opt-in process and secure claims. They intend to seek permission to access Vehicle Operator Licence (VOL) records to verify truck numbers and match them to list price data.

Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, emphasised the far-reaching impact of the cartel on the construction industry. “There is no doubt that businesses in the scaffolding sector and wider construction industry have been affected by the Truck Cartel. Commercial vehicle fleets represent a significant overhead, and if businesses were overpaying for them, they deserve compensation.”