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ARTICLE · 17 JULY 2025

The European Commission Issues Competition Guidance In The Transport Sector

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The European Commission has for the first time issued informal guidance under its 2022 revised Notice concerning "novel and unresolved" competition law questions. This may signal a more frequent use of this previously underused tool.

BelgiumAntitrust/Competition Law
Karl Stas
Karl Stas

What You Need to Know

  • Key takeaway #1
    The European Commission has for the first time issued informal guidance under its 2022 revised Notice concerning "novel and unresolved" competition law questions. This may signal a more frequent use of this previously underused tool.
  • Key takeaway #2
    The two guidance letters both concern the transport sector: the first letter addresses a sustainability agreement aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in European ports by facilitating the transition to battery-electric container-handling equipment; the second looks at an automotive licensing negotiation group for technologies covered by standard essential patents.
  • Key takeaway #3
    These guidance letters enable the companies involved to engage in joint purchasing/licensing and standardization activities while remaining compliant with EU competition rules, allowing them to reap benefits such as reduced costs, improved access to standardized technology, increased competitiveness and

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