Compliance desk · Cresques
Elena writes about the rules of a first B2B contact in each country — ePrivacy, GDPR, national marketing law — in plain English, always with the regulator's own text linked. Her articles are information, not legal advice.
Entering a market through distributorsAustria has no distributor statute, but the OGH can grant an integrated distributor agent-style compensation of up to a year's margin. Draft for it.
Entering a market through distributorsBelgian law protects exclusive distributors: ending an open-ended deal takes reasonable notice or fair compensation, plus an indemnity for clientele.
Entering a market through distributorsIn France the risk at the end is the notice: ending an established relationship without written notice matching its length costs damages.
Entering a market through distributorsNo German statute covers distributors, but courts apply agency rules by analogy: notice periods and, in some cases, an indemnity you cannot waive.
Entering a market through distributorsItaly has no distribution statute: the Civil Code, good faith and case law decide notice and abuse, and the agents' indemnity is not extended to distributors.
Entering a market through distributorsPolish law has no distribution statute: the contract you write decides notice, exclusivity and exit, and agents' compensation rules apply only with care.
Entering a market through distributorsSpain has no distribution statute; the Supreme Court borrows agency rules case by case: notice in good faith and, if proven, a clientele indemnity.
Entering a market through distributorsNo Dutch statute governs distribution: the contract rules, and reasonableness may require a notice period or compensation when an open-ended deal ends.
For US manufacturersEU distributors can claim notice and end-of-contract pay that a New York law clause will not remove. Eight countries compared, with a first-draft checklist.
Lawful outreachUnsolicited advertising e-mail to a German company is unlawful without prior express consent (§7(2) no. 2 UWG). Use a letter, a justified call or a fair.
Lawful outreachYes, with conditions: CNIL allows B2B e-mail on legitimate interest if it fits the recipient's role, names the sender and offers an easy opt-out.
Lawful outreachItaly, the Netherlands and Denmark require prior consent for marketing e-mail even to companies; Sweden allows e-mail to companies with a working opt-out.
Lawful outreachYou may e-mail a UK or Irish company without consent if you identify yourself, give a working opt-out and stop when told; UK sole traders need consent.
Lawful outreachEvery first contact with an EU distributor must meet five rules: lawful basis, data-source notice, the national e-mail rule, the right to object, and records.
BlogCold B2B e-mail is allowed in 14 of 30 European markets, depends on conditions in 4 and needs prior consent in 12. The rule and legal basis for each.
BlogCE marking, an EU responsible operator, REACH, medical device and packaging rules, customs and VAT: what a European distributor checks first.
BlogWhat EU law asks of a manufacturer in China: CE marking, an EU operator, GPSR, MDR, REACH, the IPI measure on medical device tenders, and distributors.
BlogA UL listing is a third-party certificate; CE marking is your own legal declaration. The steps, documents and EU roles a distributor checks before it lists you.
BlogCold B2B e-mail is lawful in France and the UK, needs consent in the Netherlands and is banned in Germany. The rules in brief, and why the channel comes first.
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