04 May 2021

The EU competition rules on horizontal agreements

Guide to the assessment of horizontal agreements (including the European Commission’s guidelines on horizontal cooperation and the block exemption regulations on research and development and specialisation agreements)

This publication explains how the EU competition rules apply to various forms of horizontal cooperation. It considers information exchange between businesses, agreements relating to research and development (including an analysis of the European Commission’s R&D block exemption), and agreements relating to the production of goods or provision of services (including those covered by the Commission’s specialisation block exemption). It also covers other forms of horizontal cooperation at different stages in the business development, production and supply chain - notably purchasing agreements concerning raw materials and inputs, commercialisation agreements relating to sales and marketing, and standardisation agreements.


The EU competition rules on horizontal agreements

 

This material is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice.

Contact Information
Bertrand Louveaux
Partner at Slaughter and May
Claire Jeffs
Partner at Slaughter and May
Anna Lyle-Smythe
Partner at Slaughter and May