Competition Compliance Program

Short Version

BDVI (bdvi.org – founded in 1988 as Bund Deutscher Verpackungsingenieure e.V. / Association of German Packaging Engineers)

BDVI is a professional and scientific association organized to further promote the application of the sciences in the packaging and related industries. Its aim is to promote research and education in the areas of interest of its members. BDVI is not intended to, and may not, play any role in the competitive decisions of its members or their employers, or in any way restrict competition in the packaging and related industries.
Albeit the membership in BDVI or any other professional or trade associations does not as such raise any antitrust law concerns, certain guidelines should be respected as regards to the behaviour of members of the BDVI.  This applies in particular where representatives of competitors attend meetings or seminars of BDVI.

Behaviour at BDVI Meetings

An Industry association meeting provides an opportunity for members to discuss and exchange information related to their industry. However, these discussions must be limited to matters of legitimate association business. It is important that attendees do not engage in discussions or agreements that may lead to a restraint of trade or competition in violation of anti-trust laws.

Any discussion or agreement regarding prices, rates, discounts, or other terms of sale is strictly prohibited. Attendees are prohibited from discussing or agreeing on allocation of markets, customers, territories, or sources of supply, or boycotting any supplier, customer, or competitor

Moreover, attendees must refrain from exchanging sensitive or proprietary information. Any violation of the anti-trust policy will not be tolerated, and may result in immediate expulsion from the association and/or legal action. It is also important to note that the policy applies not only to the association meetings but also to any other communication between members

The BDVI is committed to upholding all applicable anti-trust and competition laws. Our association meetings provide a forum for open and honest discussions among members. However, to prevent any violation of anti-trust laws, we require all attendees to agree to and strictly adhere the following:

1. Discussions and exchanges of information at association meetings shall be limited to matters of legitimate BDVI Company Association business;
2. Agreements or actions that may lead to restraint of trade or competition in violation of anti-trust laws are strictly prohibited;
3. No discussion or agreement shall be made regarding prices, rates, discounts, or other terms of sale;
4. No discussion or agreement shall be made regarding allocation of markets, customers, territories, or sources of supply;
5. No discussion or agreement shall be made regarding the boycott of any supplier, customer, or competitor;
6. No discussion or agreement shall be made regarding the exchange of sensitive or proprietary information;
7. No BDVI member should undertake the collection of individual (member)company cost data, or contribute to the dissemination of any compilation of such data.

Full Version

Full version version available as download below.