The European Commission’s revised rules for vertical agreements have entered into force

On 10 May 2022, the European Commission adopted the new Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and the new Vertical Guidelines, which entered into force on 1 June 2022. The main changes in the revised block exemption and the revised guidelines relate to dual distribution, parity obligations (MFN-clauses), dual pricing and various criteria for online and offline sales, modernisation of the rules on restrictions of online sales, increased flexibility related to the use of distribution systems and new guidelines on agency agreements, resale price maintenance and sustainability efficiency gains.