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Law
Competition Policy

Block Exemptions - Vertical Agreements

The Vertical Block Exemption Regulations exempt certain supply and distribution agreements from Article 101(1) of the Treaty.

Council Regulations empowering the Commission to adopt block exemption regulations relating to vertical agreements

Council Regulation N° 19/65/EEC of 2 March 1965 on application of Article 85 (3) of the Treaty to certain categories of agreements and concerted practices

Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/1999 of 10 June 1999 amending Regulation No 19/65/EEC on the application of Article 81(3) of the Treaty to certain categories of agreements and concerted practices

 

Commission Regulations

Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/720 of 10 May 2022 on the application of Article 101(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices (VBER). This Regulation entered into force on 1 June 2022.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 461/2010 of 27 May 2010 on the application of Article 101(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices in the motor vehicle sector (MVBER), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/822 of 17 April 2023.

 

Guidelines on Vertical Restraints

Guidelines on Vertical Restraints (2022/C 248/01) setting out the principles for the assessment of vertical agreements under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Supplementary Guidelines (2010/C 138/05) on vertical restraints in agreements for the sale and repair of motor vehicles and for the distribution of spare parts for motor vehicles, as amended by Communication from the Commission (2023/C 133 I/01).

 

Review of the 2010 Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and Guidelines on Vertical Restraints

The 2010 Vertical Block Exemption Regulation expired on 31 May 2022. Before its expiry, it was subject to a review, together with the 2010 Guidelines on Vertical Restraints.

This review ended with the adoption of a revised Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/720, see above) and revised Guidelines on Vertical Restraints (Guidelines on Vertical Restraints (2022/C 248/01), see above). For information, set forth below are the texts of the 2010 Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and Guidelines on Vertical Restraints.

Commission Regulation 330/2010 of 20 April 2010 on the application of Article 101(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices.

Guidelines on Vertical Restraints (2010/C 130/01) setting out the principles for the assessment of vertical agreements under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.