Proposed New EU Competition Rules for Distribution Agreements – A Rebalancing for the Digital Age

On July 9, 2021, the European Commission (“EC”) published for public consultation a draft revised Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (“VBER”) and draft revised guidelines on vertical restraints (“Vertical Guidelines”). The EC has made substantial revisions, in particular adjustments to the rules governing dual distribution, dual pricing, and parity obligations.

By James Killick, Tilman Kuhn & Peter Citron¹