The European Commission (the Commission) continues to examine whether the insurance industry’s Block Exemption Regulation (BER) should continue after 2010. Please see the previous blog for further information on the block exemption by clicking here.

The reaction to the consultation process has been poor and at a seminar on Tuesday 4 November 2008, Eithne McCarthy, a member of the Commission’s Competition Directorate and project leader for the consultation process, said that the Commission had received only 57 replies and was “relatively disappointed” by this figure. She added that many of the responses received had not focussed on answering the guiding questions the Commission had posed.

McCarthy said that the Commission still welcomes any responses from interested parties. The Commission still needs to see compelling evidence as to why the BER should be retained.

To view a copy of the Consultation Paper please click here.