The Competition Commission has issued a new practical guide clarifying the competition-law treatment of resale price fixing. The guidance focuses on situations in which a supplier interferes, directly or indirectly, with the pricing autonomy of its distributors or resellers, resulting in the application of fixed or minimum resale prices.
Through concrete examples drawn from enforcement practice, the guide sets out how resale price fixing is identified and assessed under competition law. It explains why such conduct is considered particularly harmful, as it restricts price competition at the distribution level and may ultimately lead to higher prices and reduced choice for consumers.
Beyond outlining the legal framework, the guide serves a compliance-oriented function. It is intended to help undertakings recognize risk-prone pricing arrangements, understand the boundaries between lawful pricing recommendations and prohibited practices, and assess whether their distribution policies are compatible with competition rules. In doing so, the Competition Commission seeks to encourage proactive self-assessment by businesses and to reduce the likelihood of infringements.
The guide is publicly available on the Competition Commission’s website.