Art. 210a · Vertical and horizontal initiatives for sustainability

Previous version, in force 18 March 2026 02013R1308-20260318 → this version, in force 18 August 2026 02013R1308-20260818

Article 210a Vertical and horizontal initiatives for sustainability 1. Article 101(1) TFEU shall not apply to agreements, decisions and concerted practices of producers of agricultural products that relate to the production of or trade in agricultural products and that aim to apply a sustainability standard higher than mandated by Union or national law, provided that those agreements, decisions and concerted practices only impose restrictions of competition that are indispensable to the attainment of that standard. 2. Paragraph 1 applies to agreements, decisions and concerted practices of producers of agricultural products to which several producers are party or to which one or more producers and one or more operators at different levels of the production, processing, and trade in the food supply chain, including distribution, are party. 3. For the purposes of paragraph 1, sustainability standard means a standard which aims to contribute to one or more of the following objectives: (a) environmental objectives, including including: climate change mitigation and adaptation, adaptation; the sustainable use and protection of landscapes, water and soil, including through irrigation systems; the transition to a circular economy, including the reduction of food waste, waste and the nutrient recycling of livestock manure into organic fertilisers or energy production; and pollution prevention and control, and control; as well as the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems; (b) the production of agricultural products in ways that reduce the use of pesticides and manage risks resulting from such use, or that reduce the danger of antimicrobial resistance in agricultural production; and (c) animal health and animal welfare. welfare; (d) supporting the economic viability of small farms predominantly relying on family labour with a standard output as defined in Article 2, point (8), of Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 of 30 November 2009 setting up the Farm Sustainability Data Network (OJ L 328, 15.12.2009, p. 27, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1217/oj). that are not to exceed EUR 100000; (e) attracting and supporting young producers of agricultural products; or (f) improving working and safety conditions in agricultural or processing activities. 4. Agreements, decisions and concerted practices that fulfil the conditions referred to in this Article shall not be prohibited, no prior decision to that effect being required. 5. The Commission shall issue guidelines for operators concerning the conditions for the application of this Article by 8 December 2023. 6. From 8 December 2023, producers as referred to in paragraph 1 may request an opinion from the Commission concerning the compatibility of agreements, decisions and concerted practices as referred to in paragraph 1 with regard to the implementation of sustainability standards that aim to contribute to one or more of the objectives laid down in paragraph 3, points (a), (b) and (c), with this Article. From 19 August 2028, producers referred to in paragraph 1 may request an opinion from the Commission concerning the compatibility of agreements, decisions and concerted practices as referred to in paragraph 1 with regard to the implementation of sustainability standards that aim to contribute to one or more of the objectives laid down in paragraph 3, points (d), (e) and (f), with this Article. The Commission shall send its opinion to the applicant its opinion within four months of the receipt of a complete request. If the Commission finds at any time after issuing an opinion that the conditions referred to in paragraphs 1, 3 and 7 of this Article are no longer met, it shall declare that Article 101(1) TFEU shall is to apply in the future to the agreement, decision or concerted practice in question and inform the producers accordingly. The Commission may change the content of an opinion at on its own initiative or at the request of a Member State, in particular if the applicant has provided inaccurate information or misused the opinion. 7. The national competition authority as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 may decide in individual cases that, in the future, one or more of the agreements, decisions and concerted practices referred to in paragraph 1 are to be modified, discontinued or not take place at all, if it considers that such a decision is necessary in order to prevent competition from being excluded or if it considers that the objectives set out in Article 39 TFEU are jeopardised. For agreements, decisions and concerted practices covering more than one Member State, the decision referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall be taken by the Commission without applying the procedures referred to in Article 229(2) and (3). When acting under the first subparagraph of this paragraph, the national competition authority shall inform the Commission in writing after initiating the first formal measure of the investigation and shall notify the Commission of any resulting decisions without delay after their adoption. The decisions referred to in this paragraph shall not apply earlier than the date of their notification to the undertakings concerned.