dtic and Competition Commission to Clarify Export Block Exemption Framework
Brought to you by SAnews: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), in conjunction with the Competition Commission of South Africa, will host a public compliance session on 31 August 2026 regarding the application of the Block Exemption for the Promotion of Exports.
Promulgated by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition under the Competition Act, No. 89 of 1998 in 2025, the block exemption provides South African firms with a statutory safe harbour to coordinate and collaborate on international market entry and export activities without falling foul of restrictive horizontal practice prohibitions under section 4(1) of the Act.
The joint regulatory briefing focuses on the practical mechanics of the exemption, specifically covering:
- The scope and categories of permissible collaborative conduct among competitors targeting foreign export markets;
- Compliance requirements and boundaries necessary to prevent spill-over anti-competitive conduct in the domestic market; and
- Implementation guidance tailored for export councils, industry associations, and commercial exporters.
What this means for you, your business, or your clients
- For yourself: Familiarise yourself with the statutory boundaries between permissible export collaboration and unlawful collusive conduct under section 4 of the Competition Act, No. 89 of 1998.
- For your business: Assess whether existing or planned joint venture marketing, distribution, or logistics agreements with industry peers qualify for protection under the 2025 export block exemption regulations.
- For your clients: Advise export-oriented clients and industry association members to structure cross-firm export coordination mechanisms within the prescribed exemption parameters to eliminate domestic cartel risk.
Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/dtic-host-public-webinar-block-exemptions-promotion-exports