In an unprecedented move, the Danish merger control deadlines have been suspended from the 18 March due to the COVID-19 situation until 10 May for now.
When undertakings wish to implement a larger merger, the Competition and Consumer Authority (“DCA”) must ensure that the merger will not significantly impede competition to the detriment of competitors and consumers. The DCA has a statutory period to approve or prohibit the merger, but as a result of the measures taken to prevent and curb the spread of COVID-19, the deadlines have been suspended several times. At expiry of the recent suspension period, the DCA reviewed whether to extend the suspension and ultimately decided to extend it further – until at least 10 May for now.
As a consequence of the current situation, the DCA encourages companies wishing to merge to contact the agency well in advance.
