Abstract
Following the many demands to have clarity on when cooperation agreements
pursuing sustainability objectives are compatible with EU competition rules,
and, specifically, when can they fall under the exception of Article 101(3) TFEU,
two key concepts will be discussed: ‘efficiency gains’ and ‘fair share’. The starting
line of the discussion is the approach taken by the ACM in the recent Draft
Guidelines on Sustainability Agreements (second draft version, January 2021).
While some consider that the ACM goes too far broadening the conditions for
exempting sustainability agreements, others consider the proposal too narrow.
This paper analyses the solutions proposed by the ACM regarding the concepts of
efficiency gains and fair share, and evaluates its possible adequacy at EU level in
the upcoming guidelines since, ideally, all the EU countries should follow the same interpretation to avoid market inequalities in this regard. The solutions proposed by the ACM are studied in order to determine what could/should we take at EU level (or what not) or whether a different underlying approach could be taken.
pursuing sustainability objectives are compatible with EU competition rules,
and, specifically, when can they fall under the exception of Article 101(3) TFEU,
two key concepts will be discussed: ‘efficiency gains’ and ‘fair share’. The starting
line of the discussion is the approach taken by the ACM in the recent Draft
Guidelines on Sustainability Agreements (second draft version, January 2021).
While some consider that the ACM goes too far broadening the conditions for
exempting sustainability agreements, others consider the proposal too narrow.
This paper analyses the solutions proposed by the ACM regarding the concepts of
efficiency gains and fair share, and evaluates its possible adequacy at EU level in
the upcoming guidelines since, ideally, all the EU countries should follow the same interpretation to avoid market inequalities in this regard. The solutions proposed by the ACM are studied in order to determine what could/should we take at EU level (or what not) or whether a different underlying approach could be taken.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | EU Antitrust: Hot topics & next steps |
| Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings of the International Conference held in Prague on January 24-25, 2022 |
| Publisher | Charles University |
| Pages | 166-178 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-80-7630-019-4 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-80-7630-021-7 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |