Competition Act 1998

Exemptions U.K.

4 Individual exemptions. U.K.

[F1 (1) The [F2 OFT] may grant an exemption from the Chapter I prohibition with respect to a particular agreement if—

(a) a request for an exemption has been made to [F2 it] under section 14 by a party to the agreement; and

(b) the agreement is one to which section 9 applies.

(2) An exemption granted under this section is referred to in this Part as an individual exemption.

(3) The exemption—

(a) may be granted subject to such conditions or obligations as the [F2 OFT] considers it appropriate to impose; and

(b) has effect for such period as the [F2 OFT] considers appropriate.

(4) That period must be specified in the grant of the exemption.

(5) An individual exemption may be granted so as to have effect from a date earlier than that on which it is granted.

(6) On an application made in such way as may be specified by rules under section 51, the [F2 OFT] may extend the period for which an exemption has effect; but, if the rules so provide, [F2 it] may do so only in specified circumstances.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 4 ceased to have effect (1.5.2004) by virtue of The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 2 (with reg. 6(2))

F2 Words in s. 4 substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(3); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

5 Cancellation etc. of individual exemptions. U.K.

[F3 (1) If the [F4 OFT] has reasonable grounds for believing that there has been a material change of circumstance since [F4 it] granted an individual exemption, [F4 it] may by notice in writing—

(a) cancel the exemption;

(b) vary or remove any condition or obligation; or

(c) impose one or more additional conditions or obligations.

(2) If the [F4 OFT] has a reasonable suspicion that the information on which [F4 it] based [F4 its] decision to grant an individual exemption was incomplete, false or misleading in a material particular, [F4 it] may by notice in writing take any of the steps mentioned in subsection (1).

(3) Breach of a condition has the effect of cancelling the exemption.

(4) Failure to comply with an obligation allows the [F4 OFT], by notice in writing, to take any of the steps mentioned in subsection (1).

(5) Any step taken by the [F4 OFT] under subsection (1), (2) or (4) has effect from such time as may be specified in the notice.

(6) If an exemption is cancelled under subsection (2) or (4), the date specified in the notice cancelling it may be earlier than the date on which the notice is given.

(7) The [F4 OFT] may act under subsection (1), (2) or (4) on [F4 its] own initiative or on a complaint made by any person.]

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 5 ceased to have effect (1.5.2004) by virtue of The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 3 (with reg. 6(2)(3))

F4 Words in s. 5 substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(4); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

6 Block exemptions. U.K.

(1) If agreements which fall within a particular category of agreement are, in the opinion of the [F5 CMA], likely to be [F6 exempt agreements], the [F5 CMA] may recommend that the Secretary of State make an order specifying that category for the purposes of this section.

(2) The Secretary of State may make an order (“a block exemption order”) giving effect to such a recommendation—

(a) in the form in which the recommendation is made; or

(b) subject to such modifications as he considers appropriate.

(3) An agreement which falls within a category specified in a block exemption order is exempt from the Chapter I prohibition.

(4) An exemption under this section is referred to in this Part as a block exemption.

(5) A block exemption order may impose conditions or obligations subject to which a block exemption is to have effect.

(6) A block exemption order may provide—

(a) that breach of a condition imposed by the order has the effect of cancelling the block exemption in respect of an agreement;

(b) that if there is a failure to comply with an obligation imposed by the order, the [F5 CMA] may, by notice in writing, cancel the block exemption in respect of the agreement;

(c) that if the [F5 CMA] considers that a particular agreement is not [F7 an exempt agreement], [F8 it] may cancel the block exemption in respect of that agreement.

(7) A block exemption order may provide that the order is to cease to have effect at the end of a specified period.

[F9 (8) In this section—

• “exempt agreement” means an agreement which is exempt from the Chapter I prohibition as a result of section 9; and

• “specified” means specified in a block exemption order.]

Textual Amendments

F5 Word in s. 6(1)(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 2 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F6 Words in s. 6(1) substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 4(2)

F7 Words in s. 6(6)(c) substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 4(3)

F8 Word in s. 6(6)(c) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(5)(b); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

F9 S. 6(8) substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 4(4)

7 Block exemptions: opposition. U.K.

[F10 (1) A block exemption order may provide that a party to an agreement which—

(a) does not qualify for the block exemption created by the order, but

(b) satisfies specified criteria,

may notify the [F11 OFT] of the agreement for the purposes of subsection (2).

(2) An agreement which is notified under any provision included in a block exemption order by virtue of subsection (1) is to be treated, as from the end of the notice period, as falling within a category specified in a block exemption order unless the [F11 OFT]—

(a) is opposed to its being so treated; and

(b) gives notice in writing to the party concerned of [F11 its] opposition before the end of that period.

(3) If the [F11 OFT] gives notice of [F11 its] opposition under subsection (2), the notification under subsection (1) is to be treated as both notification under section 14 and as a request for an individual exemption made under subsection (3) of that section.

(4) In this section “notice period” means such period as may be specified with a view to giving the [F11 OFT] sufficient time to consider whether to oppose under subsection (2).]

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 7 ceased to have effect (1.5.2004) by virtue of The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 5 (with reg. 6(2))

F11 Words in s. 7 substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(6); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

8 Block exemptions: procedure. U.K.

(1) Before making a recommendation under section 6(1), the [F12 CMA] must—

(a) publish details of [F13 its] proposed recommendation in such a way as [F13 it] thinks most suitable for bringing it to the attention of those likely to be affected; and

(b) consider any representations about it which are made to [F13 it].

(2) If the Secretary of State proposes to give effect to such a recommendation subject to modifications, he must inform the [F12 CMA] of the proposed modifications and take into account any comments made by the [F12 CMA].

(3) If, in the opinion of the [F12 CMA], it is appropriate to vary or revoke a block exemption order [F14 it] may make a recommendation to that effect to the Secretary of State.

(4) Subsection (1) also applies to any proposed recommendation under subsection (3).

(5) Before exercising [F13 its] power to vary or revoke a block exemption order (in a case where there has been no recommendation under subsection (3)), the Secretary of State must—

(a) inform the [F15 CMA] of the proposed variation or revocation; and

(b) take into account any comments made by the [F15 CMA].

(6) A block exemption order may provide for a block exemption to have effect from a date earlier than that on which the order is made.

Textual Amendments

F12 Word in s. 8(1)-(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 3 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F13 Word in s. 8(1) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(7)(b); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

F14 Word in s. 8(3) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(7)(c); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

F15 Word in s. 8(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 3 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

9 [F16 Exempt agreements]. U.K.

[F17 (1)] [F18 An agreement is exempt from the Chapter I prohibition if it]—

(a) contributes to—

(i) improving production or distribution, or

(ii) promoting technical or economic progress,

while allowing consumers a fair share of the resulting benefit; [F19 and]

(b) does not—

(i) impose on the undertakings concerned restrictions which are not indispensable to the attainment of those objectives; or

(ii) afford the undertakings concerned the possibility of eliminating competition in respect of a substantial part of the products in question.

[F20 (2) In any proceedings in which it is alleged that the Chapter I prohibition is being or has been infringed by an agreement, any undertaking or association of undertakings claiming the benefit of subsection (1) shall bear the burden of proving that the conditions of that subsection are satisfied.]

Textual Amendments

F16 Words in s. 9 sidenote substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 6(5)

F17 S. 9(1): s. 9 renumbered as s. 9(1) (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 6(1)

F18 Words in s. 9(1) substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 6(2)

F19 Word in s. 9(1)(a) substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 6(3)

F20 S. 9(2) inserted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 6(4)

10 Parallel exemptions. U.K.

(1) An agreement is exempt from the Chapter I prohibition if it is exempt from [F21 the European Union] prohibition—

(a) by virtue of a Regulation, [F22 or

(b) because of a decision of the Commission under Article 10 of the EC Competition Regulation.]

(2) An agreement is exempt from the Chapter I prohibition if it does not affect trade between Member States but otherwise falls within a category of agreement which is exempt from [F21 the European Union] prohibition by virtue of a Regulation.

(3) An exemption from the Chapter I prohibition under this section is referred to in this Part as a parallel exemption.

(4) A parallel exemption—

(a) takes effect on the date on which the relevant exemption from [F21 the European Union] prohibition takes effect or, in the case of a parallel exemption under subsection (2), would take effect if the agreement in question affected trade between Member States; and

(b) ceases to have effect—

(i) if the relevant exemption from the [F21 the European Union] prohibition ceases to have effect; or

(ii) on being cancelled by virtue of subsection (5) or (7).

(5) In such circumstances and manner as may be specified in rules made under section 51, the [F23 CMA] may—

(a) impose conditions or obligations subject to which a parallel exemption is to have effect;

(b) vary or remove any such condition or obligation;

(c) impose one or more additional conditions or obligations;

(d) cancel the exemption.

(6) In such circumstances as may be specified in rules made under section 51, the date from which cancellation of an exemption is to take effect may be earlier than the date on which notice of cancellation is given.

(7) Breach of a condition imposed by the [F24 CMA] has the effect of cancelling the exemption.

(8) In exercising [F25 its] powers under this section, the [F26 CMA] may require any person who is a party to the agreement in question to give [F25 it] such information as [F25 it] may require.

(9) For the purpose of this section references to an agreement being exempt from [F21 the European Union] prohibition are to be read as including references to the prohibition being inapplicable to the agreement by virtue of a Regulation [F27 other than the EC Competition Regulation] or a decision by the Commission.

(10) In this section—

• “[F21 the European Union] prohibition” means the prohibition contained in—

  (a)

  [F28 Article 101(1)]

  (b)

  any corresponding provision replacing, or otherwise derived from, that provision;

  (c)

  such other Regulation as the Secretary of State may by order specify; and

• “Regulation” means a Regulation adopted by the Commission or by the Council.

(11) This section has effect in relation to the prohibition contained in paragraph 1 of Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (and the EFTA Surveillance Authority) as it has effect in relation to [F21 the European Union] prohibition (and the Commission) subject to any modifications which the Secretary of State may by order prescribe.

Textual Amendments

F21 Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043), arts. 2, 3, 4 (with arts. 3(2)(3), 4(2), 6(4)(5))

F22 S. 10(1)(b) and word substituted for s. 10(1)(b)(c) (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 7(2) (with reg. 7)

F23 Word in s. 10(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 4 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F24 Word in s. 10(7) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 4 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F25 Words in s. 10(8) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(8)(b); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

F26 Word in s. 10(8) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 4 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F27 Words in s. 10(9) inserted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 7(3)

F28 Words in s. 10(10) substituted (1.8.2012) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology or Numbering) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1809), art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1 (with art. 2(2))

11 Exemption for certain other agreements. U.K.

(1) The fact that a ruling may be given by virtue of [F29 Article 104] of the Treaty on the question whether or not agreements of a particular kind are prohibited by [F29 Article 101(1)] does not prevent such agreements from being subject to the Chapter I prohibition.

(2) But the Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as he considers appropriate for the purpose of granting an exemption from the Chapter I prohibition, in prescribed circumstances, in respect of such agreements.

(3) An exemption from the Chapter I prohibition by virtue of regulations under this section is referred to in this Part as a section 11 exemption.

Textual Amendments

F29 Words in s. 11(1) substituted (1.8.2012) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology or Numbering) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1809), art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1 (with art. 2(2))