On 10 May 2022, the European Commission ended a four-year review and consultation period with the adoption of the revised Vertical Block Exemption Regulation ("VBER") and Guidelines on Vertical Restraints ("VGL") . The new VBER and VGL will enter into force on 1 June 2022 and should remain in force for the next twelve years. Contracts already in force on 31 May 2022 will need to be brought into line with the new rules within a transitional period of one year. The VBER serves as important guidance for companies when performing self-assessment under Article 101(3) TFEU. It is directly applicable and provides meaningful safe harbours, since it creates a rebuttable presumption that the agree-ments are in compliance with the conditions laid down in Article 101(3) TFEU.
The Hungarian Competition Authority (‘HCA’) somewhat deviated from its previous practice in a recent decision and clarified in greater detail what is expected of leniency applicants in order to receive immunity or a reduced fine. We summarize the new approach of the HCA below.
The Hungarian Competition Authority (‘HCA’) somewhat deviated from its previous practice in a recent decision and clarified in greater detail what is expected of leniency applicants in order to receive immunity or a reduced fine. We summarize the new approach of the HCA below.
The Compliance Circle held another webinar on 22 March 2022. CERHA HEMPEL Partners Bernhard Kofler-Senoner and Armin Schwabl as well as Senior Associate Christopher Peitsch looked at Austria’s implementation of the EU Whistleblower Directive. After setting out the current state of implementation in Austria, there followed a discussion of related data protection and labour law issues. Numerous representatives from different sectors took part in the online event.
"COMPETITION INSPECTIONS IN 21 JURISDICTIONS – A PRACTITIONER’S GUIDE" has been published.
The European Commission has published a proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence ("Supply Chain Directive") on February 23, 2022.
On 23 December 2021, the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (Bundeswettbewerbsbehörde, "BWB") and the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt, "BKartA") published their revised joint guidance on the application of their respective transaction value thresholds for mandatory merger notifications ("Guidelines")
The Federal Act on the Improvement of Local Sup-ply and Competition Conditions (new abbreviated title: "FWBG") has been in force since 1 January 2022.
The government bill of the Cartel and Competition Law Amendment Act 2021 ("KaWeRÄG") was passed in the National Council on 8 July 2021. From a merger control point of view, a significant change is the introduction of a "second domestic turnover threshold".
On 8 October, the first D-A-CH Competition Law Conference (D-A-CH Kartellrechtsforum) will discuss „Relative Dominance – Open questions and developments“ via Zoom.
