The EU Commission publishes an inception impact assessment for a potential revision of the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation

New EU Antitrust Rules for Distribution – European Commission’s Inception Impact Assessment* On 23 October 2020, the European Commission (EC) published its inception impact assessment of policy options for a potential revision of the EU Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) and accompanying Vertical Guidelines for consultation. This inception impact assessment will be followed by a more detailed impact assessment that the EC will publish for public consultation at the end of 2020. The EC is contemplating important changes to the current regime in relation to dual distribution, active sales restrictions, indirect measures restricting online sales (including dual pricing), and parity (most-favoured-nation) obligations. Next Steps – Timeline 20 November 2020: Deadline for