Logistics UK comments on Consortia Block Exemption Regulation decision

Friday 09 February 2024

Speaking about today’s CMA decision regarding the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation, Nichola Mallon, Head of Trade at business group Logistics UK said: 

“Today’s decision (9 February 2024) by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that it will not recommend to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade that the current Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) be replaced with a UK block exemption when the existing CBER expires on 25 April 2024, is good news for member businesses that ship goods internationally. It is a move which Logistics UK gave its full backing to in response to the CMA’s consultation in December 2023.  

“Logistics UK acknowledged the robust methodology, thorough analysis and scenario modelling used by the CMA in reaching this conclusion, and agreed that the conditions to warrant a CBER do not exist. In addition, our members believe that self-assessment is the best and most effective way for co-operations to be undertaken by shipping lines. 

“We believe that UK trade is best facilitated by solutions that find the right balance between the needs of and benefits to shipping lines, exporters and importers shipping goods. Logistics UK is now looking to government to implement this recommendation.” 

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.