Time for an upgrade? Review of EU competition rules on vertical arrangements

The Verticals Block Exemption Regulation and the accompanying Vertical Guidelines together form an important toolkit for companies when self-assessing the compatibility of their vertical arrangements with EU competition law. The rules are due to expire in May 2022, and therefore a consultation by the European Commission ("EC") on what to do next was expected. However, in the light of market developments since their adoption in 2010, the EC has started early having already consulted stakeholders