News that competition laws are being relaxed in certain industries to help businesses survive the pandemic has been greeted with enthusiasm by some, seen as a positive step not just for suppliers of goods and services, but serving the interests of consumers too.
On 30 March an Order came into force exempting agreements between suppliers and logistics companies for certain types of groceries and medical products from Chapter 1 of the Competition Act (which bans agreements between two or more businesses that have the effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition).