BUYUSA.GOV -- U.S. Commercial Service

U.S. Mission to the European Union

MR-25 / EU Competition Rules May Affect Distribution Agreements

Summary
U.S. companies interested in expanding their business in Europe should be aware of certain EU regulations that may affect distribution agreements. Analogous to antitrust laws in the United States, EU competition rules, which apply to both goods and services circulating in countries within the European Union, prohibit certain practices concerning vertical restrictions.