The EU Council has approved a new geo-blocking regulation, which bans unjustified country restrictions to consumers’ access to online shopping sites and restrictions to the use of foreign payment instruments in online purchases. The regulation seeks to promote the EU’s digital internal market and increase consumer choice. The regulation is part of a Commission strategy to update the EU internal market for the digital age.
8.3.2018
New EU Regulation to Ban Unjustified Geo-blocking at Turn of the Year
Companies will not be allowed to block or restrict customers’ access to online sales sites or their different country versions or apply discriminatory general terms and conditions or payment terms based on the on the nationality, residence or location of customers. However, companies will still be allowed to restrict a customers’ access to an online shop if so required by national legislation. Such restrictions must be justified to the customer.
The geo-blocking regulation does not ban price differentiation or offerings targeted to particular customer groups in particular areas. The regulation will also have no effect on distribution systems permitted in competition law or on sales restrictions implemented within such systems as permitted by the block exemption regulation.
For the time being, the regulation does not apply to services relating to copyrighted content, such as e-books, music streaming services or television programming. However, the effects of the new rules and the inclusion of copyrighted content into the scope of the regulation will be reassessed two years after the entry into force of the regulation.
The regulation is planned to enter into force at the turn of 2018 and 2019.
Latest news
Latest references
G&W Electric – Acquisition of Safegrid
We advised G&W Electric with its acquisition of Safegrid Oy, a leading provider of intelligent grid monitoring solutions based in Finland. The acquisition accelerates G&W Electric’s long-term strategy to integrate intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics into its power distribution portfolio, strengthening its offering to utility customers worldwide. Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, G&W Electric is a global leader in innovative power grid solutions, with a presence in over 100 countries. The company is known for advanced load and fault interrupting switches, reclosers, sensors, system protection equipment, power grid automation, intelligent grid monitoring, and transmission and distribution cable accessories. Safegrid is a Finnish technology company headquartered in Espoo, Finland. The company develops the Intelligent Grid System®, a grid monitoring solution that combines instant-on wireless sensors with advanced analytics to deliver real-time insight into grid conditions, enabling utilities to identify emerging issues, anticipate failures, and reduce outage duration across medium and high voltage distribution and transmission networks.
Case published 8.5.2026
Kiwa – Acquisition of Sertio
We advised Kiwa in its acquisition of Sertio Oy, a Finnish notified body designated by the authority in accordance with the EU Regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR). Sertio provides conformity assessment services in accordance with IVDR. Kiwa is one of the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification companies, operating in over 35 countries.
Case published 7.5.2026
Metsäkonepalvelu – Acquisition of Junnonen Forest and the business operations of Lamerit
We advised Metsäkonepalvelu Oy in its acquisition of the entire share capital of Junnonen Forest Oy, a Finnish timber harvesting services company, and the timber harvesting services business of Lamerit Oy. The acquisition supports Metsäkonepalvelu’s growth strategy and strengthens the company’s position, particularly in southeastern Finland. Metsäkonepalvelu is a portfolio company of A. Ahlström Oy, a Finnish family-owned industrial owner. The company provides mechanical timber harvesting services to forest companies, large private forest owners, and the public sector in Finland and Sweden. Metsäkonepalvelu Group employs nearly two hundred forestry professionals.
Case published 6.5.2026
Scanreco – Acquisition of CrossControl
We acted as Finnish counsel to Scanreco in its acquisition of CrossControl. Mannheimer Swartling (Sweden) acted as lead counsel for Scanreco. CrossControl, founded in Sweden, is a high-tech supplier of advanced display computers and central vehicle computing solutions for industrial vehicles and machines. Scanreco is a world leading supplier of professional radio remote control systems to international machinery, heavy equipment, and crane manufacturers. The combined group comprises approximately 600 employees and generates annual revenue of around SEK 1.4 billion.
Case published 5.5.2026