Brussels, March 5, 2026 —The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on territorial supply constraints (TSCs) as it prepares a potential regulation aimed at addressing practices that restrict retailers from purchasing goods in one EU country and reselling them in another.
According to the Commission, territorial supply constraints are limitations imposed by certain large manufacturers that prevent or make it difficult for retailers to source products across borders within the EU. These practices fragment the EU single market, reduce consumer choice and contribute to significant price differences for everyday consumer goods across member states.
The initiative forms part of the Single Market Strategy adopted in May 2025, which announced additional tools to tackle such practices in situations that may fall outside the scope of existing competition law.
Through the call for evidence, the Commission is seeking input from businesses, consumer organizations, public authorities and other stakeholders on the scale and impact of territorial supply constraints and on possible policy responses.
The Commission said TSCs can occur when manufacturers limit the quantities retailers can purchase in certain countries, refuse to supply cross-border traders, or impose contractual restrictions that effectively prevent products from being resold in other EU markets. These practices can undermine the functioning of the single market by restricting cross-border trade and maintaining artificial price differences between countries.
Retailers, particularly those operating in smaller or higher-price markets, may face higher purchasing costs as a result, while consumers may experience reduced availability of products and higher retail prices, the Commission said.
The proposed initiative would explore regulatory measures to address such supply restrictions beyond the cases already covered by EU competition rules, with the aim of improving the free movement of goods and strengthening market integration across the EU.
The Commission opened the feedback period on March 5, 2026, and stakeholders will be able to submit comments until April 2, 2026 (midnight Brussels time). Feedback received during the consultation will be taken into account as the Commission further develops and refines the proposed regulation.
Submissions will be published on the Commission’s website in accordance with its feedback rules.
