SAP SE (SAP) is under formal investigation by the European Commission over allegations that it may have engaged in anti-competitive practices in the aftermarket for maintenance and support services in enterprise resource planning software.

The commission said it will investigate SAP's requirements for customers to seek maintenance and support services from the company for all SAP on-premises ERP software, and to choose the same type of maintenance and support under the same pricing conditions for all their SAP on-premises ERP software.

The commission also said SAP bars customers from terminating maintenance and support services for unused software licences, resulting in payment for unwanted services.

"We are concerned that SAP may have restricted competition in this crucial aftermarket, by making it harder for rivals to compete, leaving European customers with fewer choices and higher costs," said Teresa Ribera, the commission's executive vice-president for clean, just, and competitive transition.

The commission said there is no deadline for bringing the probe to an end.

SAP did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.