Press Release: Antitrust: Commission launches public consultation on review of competition rules for distribution sector

On 29 July, 2009, the European Commission called for comments on its proposal for a revised Block Exemption Regulation and Guidelines on supply and distribution agreements (vertical restraints). The current Regulation is due to expire in May 2010. Based on its experience in their application and on stakeholders' comments, the Commission considered that the rules were working well overall and should not be fundamentally modified. The main suggestions for amendments were intended to take account of recent market developments, in particular the increased buyer power of big retailers and the evolution of on-line sales on the Internet. Interested parties were invited to submit comments until 28th September 2009.