Governance Group decision 01/2013 - UK and double jeopardy

The Governance Group received the following request from the British Retail Consortium:
“The Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) governs some aspects of contractual relations between suppliers and retailers. The aspects it governs are substantially the same as the aspects covered in the EU voluntary agreement on business to business relations in the food supply chain. GSCOP lays down a clear process for raising and resolving complaints bought by suppliers against retailers. In order to give GSCOP-designated retailers the confidence to sign the voluntary agreement, they would require a clear and explicit acknowledgement that a specific complaint that is raised and dealt with under GSCOP cannot be raised either in parallel or subsequently through the voluntary agreement.”

Having considered the Principles of Good Practices in Vertical relationships in the Food Supply Chain and the Framework for the implementation and enforcement of such Principles, the Governance Group acknowledges hereby that a specific complaint that is raised and dealt with under GSCOP cannot be raised either in parallel or subsequently through the voluntary initiative.

Brussels, 24th May 2013

 

 

 

The above decision reflects the Governance Group’s internal discussions on a particular question. It has been made available solely for the purpose of clarifying a specific point of the Framework. It has no legal value.

For any questions on the Principles of Good Practice or past activities of the SCI, please contact the organisations.