Competition and Market Regulations
The tasks of the Association respectively of the Convention of the German Home Textiles Industry include preventing excesses in the competition behaviour and acting as market regulator for the branch within the limits of the cartel law.
In particular cartels are considered as factors for market regulation in the horizontal area. What is aimed at with such cartels is a rationalising effect, e.g. by harmonised terms of payment and delivery. Competition shall focus on the key elements, i.e. high quality, up-to-date products and prices. The market regulation created in this way is also interesting for the clientele who can rely upon deliveries at the same payment conditions, the same standard sales discounts etc. Cartelisation is approved by the consumers who are represented by their own associations.
In connection with the amendment of the law of obligations for implementing the EU Consumer Directive as of 01.01.2002 also the cartels for terms and conditions registered at the Federal Cartel Office were adapted to the new situation of law and jurisdiction. This was done in consultation with the joint condition committee of the trade.
In addition, it was notably worked towards meeting the needs of the branch.
Under the aegis of the Convention the following cartels are active within the Home Textiles Industry:
Condition Cartels
Terms of payment and delivery of the Convention of the German Home Textiles Industry for
On 1st January 1999 by the amendment of the cartel law the legal basis existing up to that time was unfortunately cancelled for cartels for standard sales discounts concerning sales of carpet flooring and furnishing fabrics to the wholesale trade. The cartels for standard sales discounts and thereby also the obligation according to cartel law are cancelled. However, the rules elaborated may still be used in individual agreements.
The Association also pleads for fair competition in the vertical area. In this context the safeguard of interests of the Home Textiles Industry is a key aspect for cartel agreements of suppliers as well as for accumulating purchasing power on the consumer side.
Last but not least, by being member of the Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition the Association contributes to reveal unfair competition affairs in the branch so that this Centre can issue a warning notice to the party responsible for infringements of the competition law.
In particular cartels are considered as factors for market regulation in the horizontal area. What is aimed at with such cartels is a rationalising effect, e.g. by harmonised terms of payment and delivery. Competition shall focus on the key elements, i.e. high quality, up-to-date products and prices. The market regulation created in this way is also interesting for the clientele who can rely upon deliveries at the same payment conditions, the same standard sales discounts etc. Cartelisation is approved by the consumers who are represented by their own associations.
In connection with the amendment of the law of obligations for implementing the EU Consumer Directive as of 01.01.2002 also the cartels for terms and conditions registered at the Federal Cartel Office were adapted to the new situation of law and jurisdiction. This was done in consultation with the joint condition committee of the trade.
In addition, it was notably worked towards meeting the needs of the branch.
Under the aegis of the Convention the following cartels are active within the Home Textiles Industry:
Condition Cartels
Terms of payment and delivery of the Convention of the German Home Textiles Industry for
- Carpet products
- Curtains and decoration fabrics, laces and embroideries and ready-made home textiles
- Bedding items, quilts and similar products
- Upholstery fabrics
On 1st January 1999 by the amendment of the cartel law the legal basis existing up to that time was unfortunately cancelled for cartels for standard sales discounts concerning sales of carpet flooring and furnishing fabrics to the wholesale trade. The cartels for standard sales discounts and thereby also the obligation according to cartel law are cancelled. However, the rules elaborated may still be used in individual agreements.
The Association also pleads for fair competition in the vertical area. In this context the safeguard of interests of the Home Textiles Industry is a key aspect for cartel agreements of suppliers as well as for accumulating purchasing power on the consumer side.
Last but not least, by being member of the Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition the Association contributes to reveal unfair competition affairs in the branch so that this Centre can issue a warning notice to the party responsible for infringements of the competition law.
