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. EU Competition rules dictate that such agreements must be notified to the European Commission in order to ensure that the agreement respects the said rules.

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 agreement in question satisfies the conditions of the block exemption regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1400/2002. Given that this Regulation will expire on 31 May 2010, last July the European Commission adopted a Communication setting out its policy orientations for the future legal framework that should apply to agreements in the sector after its expiry. Following a consultation on these policy orientations, the Commission has now adopted a draft Regulation and draft Guidelines. Once again the Commission is requesting comments on its position taken in the draft Regulation and the draft Guidelines.

In this context MEUSAC together with the Consumer and Competition Division within the Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Investment 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 Monday 1^st February 2010 at Europe House in Valletta.