On 1 June 2023, the European Commission (EC)
adopted the revised horizontal block exemption regulations
("HBERs") on research and development
(R&D) and specialisation agreements, as well
as the revised Guidelines on horizontal cooperation
(Guidelines). The updated EC regulations will
enter into force on 1 July 2023 and will remain valid until 30 June
2035. The Guidelines will come into effect once they are published
in the EU's Official Journal.
During a transitional period of 2 years agreements that do not
meet the conditions of the new HBERs but which meet the conditions
of one of the previous HBERs can remain block exempted.
The former chapter on standardisation has been split to improve
clarity and readability. There are now two separate chapters on
standardisation agreements and on standard terms. While no
substantial changes stand out in the chapter for standard terms,
the revised chapter for standardisation agreements introduces
greater flexibility to
