As you know, block exemption regulations are very important instruments to the business community.

The present block exemptions expire at the end of the year.

The case for block exemption of franchising does not appear clear in economic theory.

These future advantages are all contained in this block exemption regulation.

But this point is already clearly recognized in the legal framework through such elements as the block exemptions.

In this we can take the block exemption regulations on vertical agreements as an example and set a period of 18 months.

In September 2002, the block exemption from competition rules granted to the motor vehicle industry comes to an end.

Similarly, franchise agreements are granted block exemption under Regulation 4087/88.

This activity has led to approval of new regulations on block exemptions in horizontal agreement issues.

But you also resisted the temptation to say, let us do away with the block exemption regulation altogether.

The Commission has launched an inquiry into the question to what extent this block exemption is still admitted in 2005.

In principle I would not be against the removal of the specific sector block exemption if there were no risk for consumers.

This came about as result of the lifting of block exemption regulations in 2003.

So how do dealers in the European Union at present stand under the old block exemption regulation?

Block exemptions contribute, therefore, to legal certainty and to the consistent application of European rules.

We are, of course, permanently monitoring the effects of the new block exemption regulation.

Thirdly, the Commission has also introduced a collection of block exemptions for different contract types.

At the same time it will propose draft directives for those agreements not covered by the block exemption.

Furthermore, it wants to grant the national competition authorities the power to withdraw the benefit of block exemption in their territory.

The block exemptions are subject to review, since they have expiry dates written in, but no substantial change is imminent.

There are similar potential benefits associated with exclusive distribution, as the preamble to the legislation on the block exemption suggests.

There will be, again as under Article 85, a facility for the block exemption of certain practices which are not seen as anti-competitive.

What sort of agreements does the old block exemption regulation allow between dealers and the all-powerful car manufacturers?

Another important example is the use of block exemptions, which allow Member States to grant aid without the need for prior notification.

New guidelines on vertical restraints have been adopted, in addition to the new 1999 block exemption regulation.