Part 5: New Rules On Cooperation Between Competing Undertakings

On 1 June 2023, the European Commission adopted final revised versions of the block exemptions for certain categories of research and development agreements ("R&D") and specialisation agreements, as well as guidelines on the application of the cartel rules to horizontal cooperation agreements ("Horizontal Guidelines").

The Commission's review is of great practical importance as the block exemptions and guidelines set the framework for the Commission's enforcement of the prohibition of anti-competitive agreements – both in relation to cooperations covered by the block exemptions and those not covered.

The Block Exemption Regulations and the related chapters of the Horizontal Guidelines