Contracts and decisions which contravene paragraph 1 of Article 53 of the EEA Agreement are automatically void, see paragraph 2 of the said article. However, under Article 53(3), so-called group exemptions may be granted; these are general exemptions from the prohibition of Article 1. clause of Article 53. The exemptions are granted on the basis of specific regulations, and agreements that meet the conditions of the relevant regulation are granted an exemption. With the introduction of the exemptions, companies can assess for themselves whether their agreements breach Article 53(1) or meet the conditions of Article 53(3) and are therefore exempt. Links to these block exemption regulations can be found here (links open in a new window).
Regulations on the implementation of EC regulations on group exemptions for horizontal cooperation agreements
Regulations on the implementation of EC regulations concerning horizontal agreements in the transport sector
Regulations on the implementation of EC regulations on block exemptions for insurance contracts
Regulations on the implementation of EC regulations on group exemptions for vertical agreements
Group exemptions which are no longer in force are to be found in Regulations.
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