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GS1 UK Competition Policy
GS1 UK has driven innovation in the supply chain for over thirty years. It is part of the global GS1 organisation, dedicated to the development and implementation of global data standards and solutions for the supply chain. GS1 standards are the most widely used in the world.
GS1 UK aims to make it faster, more cost effective and safer for our members to serve their customers through the industry wide adoption of global GS1 standards and locally delivered services. GS1 UK helps industry to implement these data standards through the use of bar codes, RFID, Global Data Synchronisation (GDS) and electronic business messaging.
Organisations are encouraged to assist in the development of these standards and supporting services for use by all GS1 UK members.
GS1 UK’s membership covers a broad spectrum of organisations across a range of different supply chains and sectors. It is expected that in many cases member and non-member participating organisations are likely to compete with each other. It is vital therefore that GS1 UK activities stand up to scrutiny in respect of current competition legislation.
The Competition Act - background
The main provisions of the Competition Act 1998 came into force on 1 March 2000. European Community competition legislation has been influential in forming this legislation.
Generally the Act outlaws any agreements and business practices that have a damaging effect on competition in the UK. It prohibits:
- agreements by undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings (such as trade associations), and concerted practices which prevent, restrict or distort competition, or are intended to do so and may affect trade within the UK (know as the Chapter I prohibition),
- the abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in a market, which may affect trade within the UK (known as a Chapter II prohibition).
The Act catches "informal understandings as well as formal agreements which have an appreciably anti-competitive effect."
Businesses, which break competition laws, may be in danger of being fined up to 10% of their UK turnover. The involvement of an association of undertakings in an infringement of the Chapter I or Chapter II prohibitions could result in financial penalties being imposed on the association itself, its members, or both.
GS1 UK as a user association fits squarely into this category. It has therefore developed the following competition policy, which applies to all member and non-member participants in GS1 UK activities.
GS1 UK Competition Policy
It is a pre-condition of participation in all GS1 UK meetings that member and non-member participants abide by this Competition Policy. The policy covers GS1 UK meetings held at GS1 UK premises, hosted externally, and virtual meetings (eg teleconferences).
- Attendees at GS1 UK meetings acknowledge that the underlying aim of GS1 UK activities is often to enhance the ability of organisations to compete more efficiently and effectively through the implementation of efficient supply chain practices based on GS1 standards and services.
- Participation in GS1 UK activities is voluntary and failure to participate shall not be used to penalise any company.
- There shall be no discussion atGS1 UK meetings of commercial terms, including
- Agreeing to fix purchase or selling prices or other trading conditions
- Agreeing to limit or control production, markets, technical development or investment
- Agreeing to share markets or supply sources
- Agreeing to apply different trading conditions to equivalent transactions, thereby placing some parties at a competitive disadvantage
- Agreeing to make contracts subject to unrelated conditions
- Or any other subject which may be construed thus according to the philosophy of the Competition Act.
- Attendees at GS1 UK meetings should not put themselves in a position where their own corporate or personal interests conflict with those of GS1 UK. If any item should arise wherein there is possible conflict of interest, the meeting attendee will say so promptly, and may, at the discretion of the chairman be asked to leave for that item.
- If a meeting or discussion covers subjects which are contrary to this competition policy, GS1 UK will terminate that meeting or discussion immediately. A meeting participant should invite GS1 UK to terminate a meeting if it is felt that the policy has been breached.
- The output of GS1 UK meetings have the status of recommendations which may be implemented by member and non-member companies as they see fit. Individual companies remain free to make independent, competitive decisions about implementation.
Conclusion
- The potential for antitrust problems exists wherever competitors meet or associate in common activities.
- GS1 UK Competition Policy has been established both to avoid breach of the law in this respect and to avoid any activity, which might give the appearance of illegality.
- By signing up to the policy, attendees at GS1 UK meetings can minimise this risk and justifiably participate in the development of global standards and best industry practice
- Every company participating in GS1 UK activities remains individually responsible for its compliance with competition law and the GS1 UK Competition Policy does not detract from that responsibility.
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