Rules on group exemptions

Agreements and decisions which contravene paragraph 1 of Article 53 of the EEA Agreement are automatically void, pursuant to paragraph 2 of the same article. However, under paragraph 3 of Article 53, so-called group exemptions may be granted; these are general exemptions from the prohibition in paragraph 1. Article 53(3). The exemptions are granted on the basis of specific regulations, and agreements that meet the conditions of the relevant regulation are granted an exemption. This allows the companies to assess for themselves whether their agreements breach Article 53(1) or meet the conditions of Article 53(3) and are therefore exempt. Links to the rules on group exemptions can be found below in Icelandic. (links open in a new window).

Regulation No. 1272/2012 on the implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 906/2009 on a group exemption for certain categories of agreements, decisions and concerted practices between liner shipping associations. See also regulation No. 203/2015 on the implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 697/2014 Amendment to Regulation No 906/2009 as regards its period of application.

Regulation No. 927/2010 on the implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU)No. 330/2010 on the block exemption for categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices.

Regulation No. 926/2010 on the implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 267/2010 on the block exemption for certain categories of contracts, decisions and concerted practices in the insurance sector.

Regulation No 1273/2012 on the implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 461/2010 on the block exemption for categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices in the field of motor vehicles.

Regulation No 1274/2012 on the implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1217/2010 on group exemptions for certain categories of research and development agreements.

Regulation No. 1275/2012 on the implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1218/2010 on group exemptions for certain categories of specialisation agreements.

Regulation No 621/2016 on the implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 316/2014 on the group exemption for categories of technology transfer agreements.

Að auki hefur Eftirlitsstofnun EFTA gefið út út leiðbeinandi reglur og tilkynningar sem varða ýmiss atriði er lúta að beitingu samkeppnisreglna sem gagnlegt er að hafa til hliðsjónar. Þessar leiðbeinandi reglur og tilkynningar eru efnislega sambærilegar þeim réttarheimildum sem framkvæmdastjórn ESB hefur sett. Tenglar fyrir þessar reglur og tilkynningar má finna here.