The United States antitrust laws were enacted to preserve the
free enterprise system, to promote competition and to protect the public and
other businesses from exclusionary or predatory trade practices. The National
Beer Wholesalers Association and its members are best served by strict adherence
to the antitrust laws. The NBWA shall at all times promote vigorous competition
in compliance with these laws.
The NBWAs policy includes compliance with the spirit as well as the letter
of the antitrust laws. This requires the understanding and cooperation of each
NBWA member and staff employee. It is their personal obligation and
responsibility to act in a manner consistent with the nations antitrust
laws.
Because of the scope and intricacy of the antitrust laws, NBWA members and
staff must be sensitive to activities raising potential problems under the
antitrust laws. The NBWA Antitrust Guide should be consulted. It identifies
specific areas of antitrust concern as well as other areas where legal counsel
should be sought.
All NBWA activities, meetings or discussions shall avoid any conduct that
would:
- Raise, lower or stabilize prices;
- Allocate geographic areas or customers served;
- Encourage refusals to deal or boycotts; or that in any way would violate
federal or state antitrust laws.