The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) has reached a significant milestone with Brau Union, as the company has committed to new contractual terms that address recent allegations of anti-competitive behavior. The new framework agreement with logistics partners replaces all previous agreements under the sales partnership, ensuring that these partners can operate independently.

Key changes in the logistics agreement include the independence of logistics partners' business operations, allowing them to choose their product range and customers without restrictions from Brau Union. Additionally, there are no obligations for logistics partners to disclose their business information to Brau Union, which promotes a more competitive environment.

Other important aspects of the agreement include the removal of exclusivity requirements, territorial restrictions, and non-poaching clauses, enabling logistics partners to freely engage with Brau Union's competitors. Brau Union has also committed to not imposing any illegal sanctions on its logistics partners and has enhanced its internal compliance management system to align with competition laws.

In light of these commitments, the AFCA has modified its applications in the Cartel Court proceedings, retracting its request for termination and adjusting its application for fines related to past anti-competitive practices. This development marks a proactive step towards ensuring fair competition in the market, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises.