The EU Commission conditionally clears a merger following an in-depth investigation (Zimmer / Biomet)

Introduction On 30 March 2015, the European Commission conditionally cleared Zimmer's acquisition of Biomet, following an in-depth investigation. Zimmer and Biomet are two of the five leading competitors in the medical implants industry. The transaction was initially notified on 3 June 2014, without any pre-notification contacts, and was declared incomplete by the Commission, as it did not contain all information necessary for its assessment. Zimmer submitted the missing information and the notification was deemed effective as of 29 August 2014. The transaction was reviewed in parallel by the US Federal Trade Commission (US FTC) and the Japan Fair Trade Commission. The Commission cooperated closely with these agencies in a bid to ensure convergence in terms of both substantive