Motor vehicle manufacturers often enter into agreements such as distribution and after-sales services with authorised dealers and repairers for the distribution, repair and maintenance of their products. EC Competition rules dictate that such agreements must be notified to the European Commission in order to ensure that the agreement respects the said rule.

However, agreements falling within the ambit of block exemption regulations need not be notified. This is the case of the motor vehicle sector provided that the agreements in question satisfy the conditions of the block exemption regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1400/2002. Given that this Regulation will expire on 31 May 2010, the European Commission has adopted a Communication setting out the basic policy orientations for the future legal framework that should apply to agreements in the sector after its expiry.

In this context MEUSAC together with the Consumer and Competition Division within the Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Investment and in collaboration with GRTU, organised a briefing and consultation session for stakeholders on the issues involved, the current discussions taking place and developments to be expected in the near future.

The session was of particular interest to all operators involved in the motor vehicle sector. It was held on 14th September 2009 at GRTU in Valletta.