The Greek competition authority has issued a statement regarding Territorial Supply Constraints (TSCs), which are a type of competition restriction found in vertical agreements such as distribution and supply agreements. These constraints limit the area in which a distributor or buyer can sell goods.

TSCs pose significant barriers to the smooth functioning of the European single market, making it difficult or impossible to purchase goods or services in one member state and resell them in another. They rank among the top ten most harmful barriers to intra-Union trade. Competition law serves as an effective mechanism to address these constraints when they arise from anti-competitive agreements or unilateral practices by dominant firms. However, many practices affecting the single market do not fall under its scope, especially when they originate from non-dominant firms.

The authority has conducted comparative studies on retail prices of essential consumer goods between Greece and other member states, as well as studies on the absence of parallel trade in key agricultural inputs. The findings highlight the need to enhance cross-border trade, allowing retailers, wholesalers, and consumers to source products from any member state.

The European Parliament has urged the European Commission to take action on territorial restrictions affecting everyday consumer goods. Greece has consistently supported the need for effective action on this issue at the European level since 2024 and actively contributes to this initiative.

In this context, the competition authority has submitted its views in response to the European Commission's call for evidence for the Impact Assessment, emphasizing the need for legislation that would predefine certain prohibited practices. This would allow for the scrutiny of supplier practices without dominant positions when they have negative impacts on the internal market and consumers. The competition authority's views are available for further review.