As the law tries to respond to covid-19, what do supply chain leaders need to know?
1. EU border measures and green lanes – the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic forced EU Member States to impose border restrictions, including measures that restrict or severely hinder the flow of cross-border goods. Traffic congestion increased at the EU ’s internal borders, causing freight drivers to face up to 24 hours of waiting time at land crossings, disrupting the supply chain. On March 23, the European Commission released a Communication on the implementation of « Green lanes » with various measures to simplify freight transport within the EU – read short summary.
2. EU member states have issued a joint statement through the European Competition Network (ECN) regarding the application of the competition law in the current context of Covid-19 pandemic in EU. They concur that the urgency of the situation « may trigger the need for companies to cooperate in order to ensure the supply and fair distribution of scarce products to all consumers » and agreed that they will not actively intervene against « the necessary and temporary measures put in place in order to avoid a shortage of supply. » But competition laws remain applicable – read short summary.
3. The Commission has released a temporary Framework on State aid to face covid with accurate measures of urgency. The Framework applies to aid granted after 1 February 2020 and before 31 December 2020 and distinguishes between five types of aid – read short summary.
Philippe Billiet, Attorney-at-Law
www.EuropeanFreightLeaders.eu
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