Sustainable development in the EU – which state of play in competition law?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sustainable development is today a guiding objective of the EU. This article therefore analyses if and how it can be integrated in competition law and more specifically in the antitrust rules of art. 101 TFEU. This paper first explains the legal background of sustainable development, its economic, social and environmental dimensions on the international scene and highlights its enshrinement in the EU treaties. It then focuses on its environmental dimension and identifies three routes to integration in EU competition law: (i) the agreements not restricting competition while protecting the environment; (ii) the objective necessity route whereby agreements whose restrictions on competition are objectively justified and proportionate make them fall outside of the scope of art. 101 TFEU; (iii) and the exemption route of art. 101 (3) TFEU. This article analyses each of these routes and puts forward the legal points requiring clarifications or modifications in this regard.