Institutions

General antitrust

 The Latvian Parliament strengthens the Competition Authority’s independence with amendments to the Competition Law
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 110 contributions 20229 visits
The Saeima strengthens the independence of the Competition Council with amendments to the Competition Law* On June 9, the Parliament (Saeima) made amendments to the Competition Law aimed at strengthening the Competition Council (CC), providing the necessary guarantees of independence, (...)

The Australian Competition Authority commits to increasing scrutiny of digital payment systems
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australia 311 contributions 68710 visits
ACCC focused on competition issues with shift to digital payments* Competition in payments markets, investigating allegations of anti-competitive conduct, and protecting the interests of consumers will be the focus of the ACCC’s financial services enforcement and policy work over the next year, (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes its second State of Competition report, finding that the economy remains more concentrated than it was prior to the 2008 financial crisis and that the concentration disproportionately affects the least well-off
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80032 visits
CMA publishes second state of competition report* The CMA has published its second assessment of how well competition is working in the UK and what that means for people and businesses. Effective competition helps make sure shoppers and households get a fair deal when buying goods and (...)

The New Zealand Competition Authority allows collective bargaining between a poultry growers association and a chicken processing company (Tegel Growers Association / Tegel)
New Zealand Commerce Commission (Wellington)
New Zealand 117 contributions 17765 visits
Commerce Commission issues draft determination on New Zealand Tegel Growers Association’s application to engage in collective bargaining* The Commerce Commission (Commission) has reached a preliminary view that it should allow the New Zealand Tegel Growers Association Incorporated (TGA) to (...)

The Indonesian Competition Authority announces end to relaxation of competition rules put in place over the COVID-19 pandemic Free
Hogan Lovells (Jakarta)
4 contributions 1783 visits
KPPU, the Indonesian Competition Authority, announced that the relaxation measures which were in place due to the pandemic will no longer be applicable as of 1 May 2022. Corporations carrying out business in Indonesia or related to the Indonesian market should buckle up for more rigorous (...)

The UK Competition Authority calls for comments on draft guidance for new Vertical Agreements Block Exemption Order
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 6 contributions 1026 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 8 contributions 16019 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 34 contributions 31222 visits
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The UK Competition and Markets Authority (the “CMA”) is consulting on its draft guidance (“Draft Guidance”) for its proposed Vertical Agreements Block Exemption Order (“VABEO”). It invites comments by May 5, 2022. The Draft Guidance largely maintains the status quo. There are, however, a number of (...)

The European Competition Network and the EU Council publish a joint statement in which they promise to be pragmatic in assessing the behaviour adopted by companies in response to the severe difficulties encountered in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Paris)
France 14 contributions 25229 visits
After the various measures taken by countries, international organizations and companies to pressure Russia to stop its aggression against Ukraine, it is now the turn of the antitrust enforcers of the European Competition Network (ECN) to make their contribution. They did so by publishing a (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority and the European Competition Network issue a joint statement on the application of competition rules in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgium 107 contributions 23426 visits
Joint statement from the European Competition Network on applying competition law in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine* Today the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA), the European Commission, and the EU/EEA national competition authorities issued a joint statement providing clarity (...)

The European Competition Network issues a joint statement on the application of competition law in the context of the war in Ukraine
McDermott Will & Emery (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 3278 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 6439 visits
On March 21 2022, the European Competition Network (ECN), the network of authorities comprising the European Commission, the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the national competition authorities of all EU Member States (NCAs), issued a joint statement on the application of competition law in the (...)

The European Competition Network issues policy statement that permits "necessary and temporary" cooperation to address disruptions caused by the conflict in Ukraine
Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 25 contributions 15590 visits
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 14 contributions 4299 visits
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 8 contributions 2243 visits
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The European Competition Network ("ECN") issued a policy statement indicating that member agencies will not intervene in legitimate, cooperative efforts to address disruptions caused by the conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions. The ECN is a working group of competition authorities in (...)

The Chinese Supreme Court releases its interpretation on several issues concerning the application of the Anti-unfair competition law
AnJie Law (Beijing)
China 8 contributions 1345 visits
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AnJie Law (Beijing)
China 36 contributions 11500 visits
Supreme People’s Court releases interpretation of Anti-Unfair Competition Law* On 17 March 2022, the Supreme People’s Court of China released the Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of the Anti-Unfair Competition Law. The document, which took effect on 20 March 2022, (...)

The Middle East and North Africa Competition Authorities launch the Arab Competition Network
Allen & Overy (Brussels)
Belgium 3 contributions 2930 visits
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Allen & Overy (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 2849 visits
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Allen & Overy (Brussels)
Belgium 1 contribution 193 visits
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Middle East and North Africa Competition Authorities launch the Arab Competition Network Enhanced cooperation among antitrust regulatory authorities in the MENA region On 16 March 2022, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) competition authorities officially launched the Arab Competition (...)

The US DoJ and Department of Labor strengthen partnership to protect workers through greater coordination and information sharing, cross-agency training and outreach
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 133 contributions 46855 visits
Departments of Justice and Labor Strengthen Partnership to Protect Workers* The Agencies Will Enhance Enforcement Efforts Through Greater Coordination and Information Sharing, Cross-Agency Training and Outreach The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Labor Department signed a (...)

The US DoJ and Department of Labor release a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen and coordinate enforcement efforts in labor markets
McDermott Will & Emery (Chicago)
United States 11 contributions 2776 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Chicago)
United States 1 contribution 595 visits
Continuing the recent string of actions across the Biden administration in response to the July 2021 Executive Order on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” on March 7, 2022, the US Treasury Department (Treasury) released a report titled “The State of Labor Market Competition,” and on (...)

The US DoJ lists antitrust as a priority enforcement area and reveals plans to commit substantial resources to antitrust enforcement
McDermott Will & Emery (Miami)
1 contribution 220 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Los Angeles)
United States 2 contributions 568 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Washington)
United States 7 contributions 2402 visits
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In March 3, 2022, speeches at the American Bar Association’s Annual National Institute on White Collar Crime (ABA White Collar Institute), US Attorney General (AG) Merrick Garland and US Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division (AAG) Kenneth Polite Jr. addressed the US Department of (...)

The International Competition Network suspends the Russian Competition Authority’s participation in its activities in an effort to condemn the state’s act of aggression against Ukraine
International Competition Network (ICN)
6 contributions 2703 visits
ICN Chair’s Statement – Current events in Ukraine* The International Competition Network (ICN) is a network of 140 competition authorities from 130 jurisdictions. The ICN was founded to facilitate cooperation and convergence between authorities worldwide. Russia’s competition authority, the (...)

The EU Commission publishes revised draft guidance for horizontal agreements
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 90 contributions 60678 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 11998 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 16 contributions 4171 visits
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In March the European Commission (“Commission”) published, for consultation, its draft revised Guidelines on the application of Article 101 TFEU to horizontal cooperation agreements (“draft revised Horizontal Guidelines”). The proposed revisions are important as they update and expand the existing (...)

The US DoJ and the Federal Maritime Commission reaffirm and strengthen partnership to promote fair competition in the shipping industry
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 133 contributions 46855 visits
Justice Department and Federal Maritime Commission Reaffirm and Strengthen Partnership to Promote Fair Competition in the Shipping Industry* The Justice Department and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) today reaffirmed their continuing commitment to jointly enforcing competition laws and (...)

The Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian Competition Authorities jointly urge the International Competition Network to exclude Russian Government and individual experts from future events as a sanction for the country’s military aggression against Ukraine
Estonian Competition Authority (Tallinn)
Estonia 9 contributions 951 visits
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Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 93 contributions 17101 visits
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Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 110 contributions 20229 visits
JOINT STATEMENT BY LITHUANIAN, LATVIAN, ESTONIAN COMPETITION AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE* We, the heads of the Lithuanian, Estonian and Latvian Competition Authorities, support the condemnation by our national governments of Russia‘s open large-scale aggression against an independent, (...)

The Hungarian National Assembly adopts the Competition Authority’s report for 2021, noting particularly a 25% rise in enforcement actions
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 83 contributions 16057 visits
The Hungarian National Assembly adopted the report of the Hungarian Competition Authority* 22 February 2022, Budapest - the Committee on Economics of the Hungarian National Assembly adopted the report on the Hungarian Competition Authority’s (GVH) activities and experiences related to the (...)

The German Competition Authority and the Federal Information Technology Centre launch the fully digital Competition Register for Public Procurement
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 400 contributions 99872 visits
Digital Competition Register for Public Procurement – Successful cooperation between Bundeskartellamt and ITZBund* Bonn, 3 February 2022: With the assistance of the Federal Information Technology Centre (ITZBund), the Bundeskartellamt launched the fully digital Competition Register for Public (...)

The New York State Senate Committee votes on expansive antitrust bill
Constantine Cannon (New York)
United States 2 contributions 406 visits
UPDATE: New York’s Groundbreaking Antitrust Bill Is Reported Out of Committee and Advances to the Senate Floor Calendar* New York took a step closer to launching an antitrust revival in the state today as the New York Senate Consumer Protection Committee voted to send S933A—a groundbreaking (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority publishes its annual report for 2020 noting particularly the introduction of a new IT system and the large number of merger cases evaluated Free
Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia)
Cyprus 24 contributions 4855 visits
The Annual Report of the Commission for the Protection of Competition for the year 2020* The Annual Report of the Competition Commission for the year 2020 presents the work and actions of the Commission during an extremely demanding year with unprecedented changes in working conditions for the (...)

The US DoJ AG Merrick B. Garland issues statement of principles and commitments with the Secretary of Agriculture to protect against unfair and anticompetitive practices in the agriculture sector
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 133 contributions 46855 visits
Justice Department and Agriculture Department Issue Shared Principles and Commitments to Protect Against Unfair and Anticompetitive Practices* Speaking at a White House event focused on competition in agriculture, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority and the national regulator for network industries re-sign cooperation agreement undertaking to focus particularly on telecommunications, postal and railway services and digital markets
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 90 contributions 15307 visits
Hakom and CCA re-sign the cooperation agreement* With the view to facilitating the cooperation in the area of competition policy, particularly in the area of telecommunications, postal and railway services and digital markets, the president of the Competition Council Mirta Kapural, PhD and the (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority joins forces with umbrella organisation representing domestic municipalities to tackle anti-competitive behaviour
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 83 contributions 16057 visits
The GVH and the Hungarian Association of Cities with County Rights join forces for fair competition* 7 December 2021, Budapest – The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) and the Hungarian Association of Cities with County Rights (MJVSZ) have concluded a cooperation agreement. The GVH and the (...)

The EU Commission alongside the US FTC and DOJ launches a joint technology competition policy dialogue to foster cooperation in competition policy and enforcement in the technology sector
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1104 contributions 2221549 visits
Competition: EU-US launch Joint Technology Competition Policy Dialogue to foster cooperation in competition policy and enforcement in technology sector* Today, European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, US Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan and the Assistant (...)

The Swiss Competition Authority clarifies rules on relative market power
Lenz & Staehelin (Zurich)
Switzerland 1 contribution 141 visits
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Lenz & Staehelin (Zurich)
Switzerland 8 contributions 1603 visits
ComCo clarifies new rules on market power* Introduction In March 2021, Parliament adopted the counterproposal to the so-called "fair price initiative", which in particular provided for a revision of the provisions of the Federal Act on Cartels and other Restraints of Competition (CartA). As a (...)

The US DOJ and PTO propose limits on standard essential patent market power by requesting courts shift remedies from injunctions to damages
Constantine Cannon (Washington)
United States 4 contributions 873 visits
Startups Take Note: Feds Propose Limits on Standard-Essential Patent Market Power by Disfavoring Injunctions and Enforcing Non-Discriminatory Commitments The federal government is taking some welcome steps toward restoring the balance between antitrust policy and intellectual property rights (...)

The Russian Competition Authority signs a cooperation agreement with the Academy of Sciences aiming to exchange knowledge on national competition law
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 49208 visits
FAS RUSSIA AND RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES SIGNED A COOPERATION AGREEMENT* The document was signed by the Head of FAS Russia Maxim Shaskolskiy and the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Sergeev. The agreement provides for the involvement of the scientific community in (...)

The Italian Government adopts legislation aimed at harmonising the tools and powers at the disposal of the competition authorities of the Member States and empowering them to be more effective enforcers
Hogan Lovells (Milan)
Italy 10 contributions 3260 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Milan)
Italy 4 contributions 1195 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Milan)
Italy 3 contributions 742 visits
Italy has just enacted the Legislative Decree implementing the ECN Plus Directive so providing the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) with increased enforcement powers. The following sections provide a first overview of the main novelties which include sanctions to natural persons for breach (...)

The Italian Government adopts a Legislative Decree implementing the ECN+ Directive, which in turn provides the Competition Authority with increased enforcement powers
Hogan Lovells (Milan)
Italy 10 contributions 3260 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Milan)
Italy 4 contributions 1195 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Milan)
Italy 3 contributions 742 visits
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Italy has just enacted the Legislative Decree implementing the ECN Plus Directive so providing the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) with increased enforcement powers. The following sections provide a first overview of the main novelties which include sanctions to natural persons for breach (...)

The OECD Competition Committee approves the Hungarian Competition Authority’s 2022 programme for the Regional Centre for Competition in Budapest
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 83 contributions 16057 visits
The Competition Committee of the OECD has approved the 2022 programme of the OECD-GVH Regional Centre for Competition* 23 November 2021, Budapest – The President of the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) presented the next year’s programme plans for the regional centre for competition, (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes its responses to two Government consultations on reforming competition policy and on adopting a new pro-competition regime for digital markets
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80032 visits
CMA welcomes government proposals on new powers* The CMA has responded to the government’s proposals to enhance its ability to tackle breaches of competition and consumer law and empower the Digital Markets Unit (DMU). Changes would see the CMA given the power to declare companies in breach of (...)

The Indian and Japanese Competition Authorities sign a memorandum on cooperation against anticompetitive activities
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 62 contributions 16267 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 65 contributions 18263 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 65 contributions 17020 visits
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The CCI and the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) (Competition Authorities) concluded a Memorandum on Cooperation on 6 August 2021. India and Japan had earlier entered into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement which came into force on 1 August 2011, which included provisions that (...)

The US FTC testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on legislation to modify its authority and address challenges facing the agency
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
United States 124 contributions 29547 visits
FTC Testifies Before House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Legislation to Modify the Commission’s Authority and Address Challenges Facing the Agency* The Federal Trade Commission testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce on legislation (...)

The UK Government publishes proposals for a new regulatory regime for digital markets alongside accompanying consultation documents
Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 13 contributions 3619 visits
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Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 3 contributions 1011 visits
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Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 4 contributions 1349 visits
On 20 July 2021, the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (“DCMS”) and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (“BEIS”) published proposals for a new regulatory regime for digital markets alongside accompanying consultation documents (the (...)

The UK Government publishes a consultation on its proposals for a competition regime for digital markets
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 37 contributions 6757 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 13 contributions 2325 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 47 contributions 16598 visits
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On 20 July 2021 the government published a consultation on its proposals for a new pro-competition regime for digital markets. The proposals are based on the recommendations set out in the Furman Review, the CMA’s final report of its market study into online platforms and advertising and the (...)

The UK Government publishes consultations on far-reaching reforms to competition and consumer laws which would substantially expand the powers of the Competition Authority and reduce procedural protections
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (London)
United Kingdom 45 contributions 19717 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 63 contributions 27239 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 72 contributions 50664 visits
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The U.K. government is consulting on far-reaching reforms to U.K. competition and consumer laws, which would substantially expand the powers of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and reduce procedural protections. Key proposals include: Merger control jurisdiction enlarged: The CMA (...)

The UK Government consults on proposed powers for the recently launched Digital Markets Unit
Hogan Lovells (London)
United Kingdom 10 contributions 3461 visits
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Hogan Lovells (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 989 visits
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Hogan Lovells (London)
United Kingdom 15 contributions 10469 visits
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The UK Government is consulting on proposed powers for the recently launched Digital Markets Unit. This is a significant juncture in the reconfiguration of the post-Brexit regulatory landscape, marked by a determination to be a world leader in the regulation of digital markets. This (...)

The UK Government consults the new digital competition regime and the establishment of the Digital Markets Unit
Bird & Bird (London)
United Kingdom 4 contributions 420 visits
Further to the UK Government’s plans, announced at the end of 2020, to set up a new digital competition regime, (summarized in our earlier article Anthony Rosen, The EU Commission and UK Government publish ground-breaking proposals which threaten to revolutionize the governance of digital (...)

The European Competition Network publishes a joint position paper on how national competition authorities can strengthen the Digital Markets Act
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 32 contributions 7942 visits
On 23 June 2021, the heads of the national competition authorities (“NCAs”) published a joint position paper entitled How national competition authorities can strengthen the DMA (“NCA Paper”). The NCA Paper argues that NCAs are well placed to assist the European Commission (“Commission”) – and (...)

The US Congress marks up 6 newly proposed antitrust bills aimed at reigning in alleged anticompetitive and monopolistic conduct by Big Tech companies
Bona Law (San Diego)
United States 5 contributions 832 visits
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Bona Law (Detroit)
United States 22 contributions 4645 visits
Antitrust Political Developments: Biden Administration Issues Executive Order on Competition and Congress Proposes Six New Antitrust Bills* On June 23, the House Judiciary Committee marked up and reported favorably six new tech antitrust bills called to be a “historic package of bipartisan (...)

The Finnish Government amends the Competition Act due to the ECN+ Directive
Hannes Snellman (Helsinki)
Finland 22 contributions 2435 visits
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Dittmar & Indrenius (Helsinki)
Finland 4 contributions 1113 visits
On 24 June 2021, the latest amendments of the Finnish Competition Act entered into force. The modifications were mostly based on the Directive 2019/1 (“ECN+ Directive”), which sought to ensure more effective enforcement of competition law across member states. The amended Competition Act was (...)

The Canadian Government announces that funding for the Competition Authority is set to increase by more than one third
Cassels Brock (Toronto)
Canada 23 contributions 4707 visits
More Money and New Digital Tools for Competition Bureau in Federal Budget* Funding for Canada’s Competition Bureau is set to increase by more than one third, the government announced in the federal budget for 2021-2022. The budget proposes to increase the Bureau’s budget by $96 million over five (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority announces that the labelling of food and agriculture products falls outside its scope of investigation
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 90 contributions 15307 visits
Labelling of food and agri products falls outside the scope of Croatian Competition Agency* Following a number of recent media reactions and allegations calling out the Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) to take necessary steps and measures regarding the alleged improper marking and labelling (...)

The US Senate progresses antitrust bills seeking to constrain exclusionary conduct and acquisitions by dominant firms (CALERA)
Constantine Cannon (New York)
United States 2 contributions 236 visits
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1 contribution 81 visits
Quick Facts About the Antitrust Bills Introduced in The Senate (Part 1)* Antitrust law was due for an update—and that day may have come. When the Democrats took control of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, it was expected that they would seek to reform the antitrust laws. (...)

The UK Government announces a new competition regime for tech giants with more data control for consumers, more online promotion opportunities for small businesses, more balance for publishers, and a new Digital Markets Unit to oversee it all
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80032 visits
New competition regime for tech giants to give consumers more choice and control over their data, and ensure businesses are fairly treated* A dedicated Digital Markets Unit will be set up to introduce and enforce a new code to govern the behaviour of platforms that currently dominate the (...)

The UK Competition Authority welcomes the Government’s response to its online platforms and digital advertising market study
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80032 visits
CMA welcomes government response to digital advertising study* The CMA has welcomed the UK Government’s response to its online platforms and digital advertising market study. The government has today accepted, in principle, the findings of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) year-long (...)

The UK Government announces the establishment of a digital markets unit within the CMA to regulate tech companies from April 2021
Government Legal Department (London)
18 contributions 2070 visits
On 27 November 2020, the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport announced the creation of a Digital Markets Unit within the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) which, from April 2021, will introduce and enforce (...)

The French Competition Authority delivers its opinion on the competitive situation in Corsica island with a focus on food distribution, fuel distribution, maritime services, and waste management
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 689 contributions 332880 visits
Food distribution, fuel distribution, maritime services and waste management: the Autorité delivers its opinion on the competitive situation in Corsica island* Following an investigation lasting several months, the Autorité today issues its opinion on the competitive situation on the island. (...)

The Georgian Competition Authority announces that the law amendments in the competition sector will come into force
Georgian Competition Authority
Georgia 3 contributions 137 visits
Most of the amendments to the Law on Competition will come into force on November 4* A unified legal framework has been created for the separation of competencies between the Georgian National Competition Agency and regulatory bodies. Accordingly, the authorities will act unitedly on the basic (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority enters into force its competition act with updates to fining powers and guarantees of independence
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 93 contributions 17101 visits
Lithuanian Competition Law Amendments: From Fining Powers to Guarantees of Independence* On November 1 amendments to the Law on Competition of the Republic of Lithuania enter into force. These amendments are in line with the ECN+ Directive intended to empower the competition authorities of (...)

The Slovak Competition Authority submits for public comment the competition act with amendments to the Competition Authority’s powers and merger control process
Slovak Competition Authority (Bratislava)
Slovakia 48 contributions 4045 visits
Initiation of an inter-ministry comment procedure on the proposal of the Act on Protection of Competition and on the Amendments of Certain Acts* Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (hereafter "the Office") in cooperation with the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic, the (...)

The Italian Competition Authority celebrates 30 years and releases its 2019 annual report
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italy 57 contributions 13987 visits
The Italian Competition Authority turns 30 and presents its 2019 Annual Report* On this occasion, the top management of the Authority, led by the President Roberto Rustichelli, were received by the President of Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, to whom they presented the Report on the (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority proposes 12 measures on economic competition matters to support the recovery of the national economy as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis Free
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
COFECE proposes 12 measures on economic competition matters to support the recovery of the Mexican economy* As a result of the health crisis, markets could further concentrate. Guaranteeing inclusion and permanence of a wide range of companies is the best way to ensure a sustainable recovery (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority signs cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Justice
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 83 contributions 16057 visits
The Hungarian Ministry of Justice and the Competition Authority cooperate for fair competition* The Hungarian Ministry of Justice (IM) and the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) have signed a cooperation agreement. The cooperation will facilitate the professional work of the two (...)

The Slovenian Competition Authority opposes the draft law proposing to merge it with multiple other sectoral regulators because the law is incompatible with EU Directive 1/2019 that empowers national competition authorities with more independence
Slovenian Competition Authority (Ljubljana)
Slovenia 8 contributions 965 visits
Draft law to merge key regulators into two agencies* Slovenian Competition Protection Agency (CPA) has on 1 October 2020 received the draft Act on the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Market and Consumers and the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Financial Markets (...)

The Georgian Parliament approves a package of amendements to the national competition law which have been drafted with the support of an EU-funded project
Georgian Competition Authority
Georgia 3 contributions 137 visits
Parliament of Georgia has approved a package “On Amendments to the Law on Competition”* Significant amendments to the Law of Georgia on Competition have been drafted with the involvement of an EU-funded project - “Support to the Georgian Competition Agency,” the Competition Council of Lithuania, (...)

The US DoJ Assistant Attorney General announces re-organization of the Antitrust Division’s civil enforcement program
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 133 contributions 46855 visits
Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim Announces Re-Organization of the Antitrust Division’s Civil Enforcement Program* Changes Will Allow for More Vigilant Enforcement, Deeper Expertise in Technology Trends The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division announced today that it is creating (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority launches toolkit to help policymakers strengthen competition in Canada’s economy
Canadian Competition Bureau (Gatineau)
Canada 43 contributions 6997 visits
Competition Bureau launches toolkit to help policymakers strengthen competition in Canada’s economy* Competitive markets are more important than ever to Canada’s economic prosperity The Competition Bureau released a toolkit today to help policymakers across the country promote competition in (...)

The US DoJ signs historic memorandum of understanding with the Securities and Exchange Commission
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 133 contributions 46855 visits
Justice Department’s Antitrust Division And The Securities And Exchange Commission Sign Historic Memorandum Of Understanding* The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and the Securities and Exchange Commission have signed an interagency Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to foster (...)

The French Competition Authority publishes a study on e-commerce and competition law
Bird & Bird (Paris)
France 22 contributions 2813 visits
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Bird & Bird (Paris)
France 12 contributions 2360 visits
E-commerce is an essential distribution channel with specific features to which the competition authorities had to adapt. Reflections on the impact of e-commerce has never been more relevant than today, as the global COVID-19 health crisis has boosted online sales. In this context, the French (...)

The UK Government issues guidance on using public procurement policy to respond to the COVID-19 emergency circumstances Free
University of Bristol - Law School
United Kingdom 90 contributions 23864 visits
EXTREME EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT AND COVID-19 — RE TODAY’S UK GUIDANCE* The UK Government has issued guidance on using public procurement to respond to the COVID-19 emergency earlier today (see PPN 1/20). This follows other EU countries’ introduction of emergency legislation and guidance on the same (...)

Anticompetitive practices

 The US Attorney General Merrick Garland and DoJ Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite Jr. address the DoJ’s increased commitment to investigating and prosecuting corporate crime
McDermott Will & Emery (Los Angeles)
United States 2 contributions 568 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Washington)
United States 7 contributions 2402 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Boston)
United States 2 contributions 568 visits
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In March 3, 2022, speeches at the American Bar Association’s Annual National Institute on White Collar Crime (ABA White Collar Institute), US Attorney General (AG) Merrick Garland and US Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division (AAG) Kenneth Polite Jr. addressed the US Department of (...)

The Australian Competition Authority announces a new working group of the Five Eyes competition authorities with a focus on collusion in international trade
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australia 311 contributions 68710 visits
Five Eyes competition authorities to focus on collusion in international trade* Global efforts to prevent anti-competitive conduct from occurring in the supply and distribution of goods will be boosted by a new working group announced today between the ACCC, US Department of Justice and (...)

The UK Competition Authority announces a new working group of Five Eyes Competition Authorities putting companies involved in global supply chains on notice not to collude
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80032 visits
International agencies put supply chains on notice against collusion* A new working group of international competition authorities has put companies involved in global supply chains on notice not to collude. The working group is made up of competition authorities from the “Five Eyes” nations: (...)

The US DoJ announces a joint initiative with the FBI to deter and prosecute those who would exploit supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 to engage in collusive conduct Free
Hogan Lovells (Washington)
United States 4 contributions 2538 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Washington)
United States 3 contributions 1961 visits
On 17 February, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division (Antitrust Division) announced that it is launching a joint initiative with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to “deter and prosecute those who would exploit supply chain disruptions to engage in collusive conduct.” In (...)

The French Competition Authority opens an investigation into alleged practices in the fuel supply, storage and distribution sector in Corsica
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 689 contributions 332880 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence has opened an investigation into alleged practices in the fuel supply, storage and distribution sector in Corsica* In decision 21-SO-17 of 15 December 2021, the Autorité de la concurrence opened an investigation into alleged practices in the fuel products supply, (...)

The French Competition Authority indicates that unannounced inspections into anticompetitive practices have been carried out in the food retail sector
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 689 contributions 332880 visits
The General Rapporteur of the Autorité de la concurrence indicates that unannounced inspections have been carried out in the food retail sector* Following authorisation from the liberty and custody judge, the investigation services of the Autorité de la concurrence have raided yesterday the (...)

The EU Commissioner for Competition Vestager highlights the Commission’s fight against cartels during and after COVID-19, including reigniting dawn raids
Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 21 contributions 22923 visits
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 10 contributions 3181 visits
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 8 contributions 2683 visits
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On 22 October 2021, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager highlighted the Commission’s commitment to combating cartels during the COVID crisis and in its aftermath. During the pandemic, the Commission’s activity against cartels included decisions issued in (...)

The German Competition Authority publishes new guidelines on its leniency program and the setting of fines
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 400 contributions 99872 visits
Bundeskartellamt publishes new guidelines on its leniency programme and the setting of fines* The Bundeskartellamt has published new guidelines on its leniency program and on the setting of fines in cartel proceedings. Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: “Key witnesses still play (...)

The German Competition Authority publishes new guidelines on its leniency program and the setting of fines in cartel proceedings
Herbert Smith Freehills (Dusseldorf)
Germany 14 contributions 4586 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Dusseldorf)
Germany 10 contributions 3432 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 11998 visits
The German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) has published new guidelines on its leniency programme and on the setting of fines in cartel proceedings. Unfortunately, both guidelines are so far available only in German. The previous guidelines date from 2006 and 2013 respectively. The FCO has now (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority closes its investigation into a possible violation of competition laws in home-decor sector due to having to prioritize other investigations
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) (The Hague)
Netherlands 179 contributions 29199 visits
ACM closes investigation into possible violation of competition rules in home-decor sector* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has closed its investigation into a possible violation of competition rules in the home-decor sector. ACM gives priority to other (...)

The EU General Court rules that sports associations can not stop athletes from competing in third-party events (International Skating Union)
King & Spalding (Brussels)
8 contributions 3823 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Brussels)
Belgium 6 contributions 1488 visits
On 16 December 2020, the General Court largely confirmed the European Commission’s Decision according to which the International Skating Union’s (the “ISU”) rules on eligibility are contrary to EU competition law. However, it partially annulled the Commission’s Decision on the ground that it failed (...)

The EU General Court issues a judgment stating that an international skating union may apply a prior authorization system for third party events only if the applicable rules and procedures are fair, transparent, and proportionate (International Skating Union)
Free University of Brussels (ULB)
Belgium 17 contributions 28424 visits
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Ashurst (Brussels)
Belgium 36 contributions 7340 visits
On 16 December 2020 the General Court of the European Union (the "Court") issued an important ruling in the International Skating Union ("ISU") case. While accepting that sports governing bodies may apply a prior authorisation system for third party events to ensure that all sports competitions (...)

The EU General Court judges that sports federations’ rule of banning athletes for participation in unauthorized events can – in certain circumstances – constitute a by object infringement of Article 101 TFEU (International Skating Union)
University of Liège
Belgium 12 contributions 4130 visits
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Koutalidis Law Firm (Athens)
Greece 1 contribution 96 visits
By its Judgment of 16 December 2020, the General Court (‘GC’) confirms the European Commission’s (‘Commission’) Decision finding that the International Skating Union’s (‘ISU’) governance rules violate competition law. The Judgment backs the Commission’s conclusion that the ISU’s rules banning athletes (...)

The EU General Court confirms that the rules of a sports union providing severe penalties for athletes taking part in other speed skating events are contrary to EU competition law (International Skating Union)
General Court of the European Union (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 55 contributions 22629 visits
The General Court confirms that the rules of the International Skating Union (ISU) providing for severe penalties for athletes taking part in speed skating events not recognised by it are contrary to EU competition law* On the other hand, the Commission was wrong to dispute the ISU’s (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority alongside 4 other national regulators proposes a new law on public procurement to promote better public expenditure and revive the national economy
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
New Law on Public Procurement is Proposed to Promote Better Public Expenditure and to Revivify the Mexican Economy* Civil society organizations and public institutions specialized on public procurement join efforts to propose a General Law on Procurement that leads to full and timely public (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority warns all market participants that it will continue to stay vigilant against anticompetitive practices that exploit the special situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic Free
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 86 contributions 22367 visits
AdC assures vigilance of anticompetitive practices that exploit current situation* In times of great collective effort, the AdC wishes to assure that it remains particularly vigilant in its mission. This includes the detection of possible anticompetitive practices that exploit the current (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The EU General Court annuls the decision of the Commission rejecting a complaint against a state-owned logistics operator concerning its alleged abuse of dominance on the market for rail freight transport services in Poland (PKP Cargo)
General Court of the European Union (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 55 contributions 22629 visits
The General Court annuls the decision of the Commission rejecting a complaint against PKP Cargo, a company controlled by the Polish State, concerning an alleged abuse of its dominant position on the market for rail freight transport services in Poland* The General Court examines for the first (...)

The German Competition Authority determines that a Big Tech company is of paramount significance for competition across markets (Google / Alphabet)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 32 contributions 7942 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 21 contributions 3694 visits
According to a press release of 5 January 2022, the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) has decided that Alphabet Inc., including its subsidiary Google (“Google”), is of paramount significance for competition across markets pursuant to Section 19a of the German Act against Restraints of (...)

The UK Competition Authority launches the Digital Markets Unit to look into Big Tech firms’ potential anticompetitive practices
Hausfeld (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 216 visits
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Hausfeld (London)
United Kingdom 11 contributions 1300 visits
The UK Government has launched the long-awaited Digital Markets Unit (DMU) to “help make sure tech giants such as Facebook and Google cannot exploit their market dominance.” The DMU, based in the Competition Markets Authority (CMA), kicked off its work in shadow, non-statutory form on 7 April (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority holds that an undertaking’s behavior cannot be assessed as breaking competition law if it is required by national legislation (Cyprus Consumer Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution / Financial Ombudsman)
Antoniou McCollum & Co. (Nicosia)
Cyprus 14 contributions 16407 visits
In deciding on a complaint lodged by a private alternative dispute resolution body alleging abuse of dominance by the State’s financial ombudsman, the Cypriot Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) held that it had no competence to assess the implementation of statutory powers (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority launches public consultation on the guide to process the investigation procedure for absolute monopolistic practices
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
COFECE launches public consultation on the guide to process the investigation procedure for absolute monopolistic practices* PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT MODIFICATIONS TO THE GUIDE TO FILE THE INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE FOR ABSOLUTE MONOPOLISTIC PRACTICES Pursuant to articles 28, paragraphs (...)

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal finds no abuse of dominance by one of the largest national real estate agencies in its ranking of online advertisements (VBO / NVM / Funda)
Bird & Bird (Amsterdam)
Netherlands 2 contributions 393 visits
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KPN (Amsterdam)
Belgium 33 contributions 6248 visits
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Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 30 contributions 6252 visits
On 26 May 2020, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal (“Court”) delivered its judgment in a dispute between the real estate association VBO Makelaars (“VBO”) versus the Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents (“NVM”) over the online real estate platform of Funda Real Estate (“Funda”). The Court assumed that (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority reminds businesses to maintain compliance during the COVID-19 outbreak, including dominant companies avoiding excessive prices and all companies avoiding price fixing Free
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) (The Hague)
Netherlands 179 contributions 29199 visits
ACM’s oversight during the Coronavirus crisis* The current Coronavirus outbreak has far-reaching effects on people and businesses. These are extraordinary times. ACM is closely monitoring economic developments, and is ready to answer any questions about collaborations that companies wish to (...)

Mergers

 The US DoJ and FTC announce a joint spring enforcers summit to discuss modernizing merger guidelines and interagency collaboration
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 133 contributions 46855 visits
Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to Hold Joint Spring Enforcers Summit* The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will cohost a Spring Enforcers Summit on April 4. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter and FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, as (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice rules that where consideration in a public acquisition is not adequate shareholders may be entitled to sue
Morgan Lewis (Frankfurt)
Germany 1 contribution 592 visits
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Morgan Lewis (Frankfurt)
Germany 1 contribution 592 visits
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Morgan Lewis (Frankfurt)
Germany 1 contribution 592 visits
RECENT CASE LAW RELATING TO PUBLIC TENDER OFFERS UNDER THE GERMAN SECURITIES ACQUISITION AND TAKEOVER ACT (WPÜG): The German Federal Court of Justice (FCJ) pronounced on November 23, 2021 two judgments in parallel proceedings that may have landmark effect. In contrast to the FCJ’s earlier (...)

The US DoJ issues a statement following the FTC’s vote to withdraw from the vertical merger guidelines
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 133 contributions 46855 visits
Justice Department Issues Statement on the Vertical Merger Guidelines* Acting Assistant Attorney General Richard A. Powers of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division issued the following statement today after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to withdraw from the 2020 Vertical Merger (...)

The US FTC announces that the "tidal wave" of HSR filings continues to strain its ability to investigate deals
Sheppard Mullin (Los Angeles)
United States 12 contributions 1877 visits
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Sheppard Mullin (Washington)
United States 5 contributions 897 visits
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Sheppard Mullin (Washington)
United States 12 contributions 1771 visits
FTC, Under Pressure from “Tidal Wave” of HSR Filings, To Begin Issuing Close-At-Your-Own-Risk Letters* Many have been wondering when FTC and DOJ will resume granting early termination of the HSR waiting period in deals that present no anticompetitive concerns. Early termination does not appear (...)

The US FTC rescinds the 1995 policy statement that limited its ability to deter problematic mergers
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
United States 124 contributions 29547 visits
FTC Rescinds 1995 Policy Statement that Limited the Agency’s Ability to Deter Problematic Mergers* Eliminating the policy statement restores a valuable tool to stop illegal mergers The Federal Trade Commission voted in an open Commission meeting to rescind a 1995 policy statement that made it (...)

The EU Commission publishes Guidance on Article 22 of the Merger Regulation and suggests an increased focus on so-called "killer acquisitions"
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer (Brussels)
Belgium 63 contributions 95406 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 6439 visits
On 26 March 2021, the EC adopted its “Guidance on the application of the referral mechanism set out in Article 22 of the [EUMR] to certain categories of cases.” The adoption of this novel piece of guidance reflects recent concerns on the part of the EC that certain competitively significant (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority imposes a fine for gun jumping on three venture capital funds (Hiventures / Talentuno Technologies)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 12 contributions 21745 visits
On 22 September 2020, the Hungarian Competition Authority (“GVH”) imposed fines totalling HUF 15.4m (approximately € 42,000) on three venture capital funds, two of which are controlled by the state-owned venture capital firm Hiventures Zrt, for failing to notify in a timely manner their (...)

The Indian Competition Authority continues to require electronic filing of merger notifications and announces further delays of notification deadlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic Free
Indian Competition Commission (New Delhi)
India 3 contributions 490 visits
Measures in view of threat of CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 pandemic* In continuation to the public notices issued on March 23, 2020, March 30, 2020 and April 13, 2020 wrt "Measures in view of threat of CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 pandemic", the following additional arrangements are made: Information with (...)

The Austrian Competition Authority requires electronic notification of mergers and announces delays in merger control due to COVID-19 restrictions Free
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 19 contributions 2856 visits
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update 9.4.2020: current operations in the AFCA and regulations relating to merger notifications and examinations* Current regulations relating to merger notifications and examinations Due to the current traffic restrictions and statutory special rules relating to (...)

The COMESA Competition Authority encourages electronic merger notifications, extends deadline for document submission, suspends physical meetings, and warns of possible investigation delays due to COVID-19 pandemic Free
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) (Lusaka)
Malawi 1 contribution 144 visits
NOTICE OF INTERIM MEASURES IN MERGER REVIEW OF THE COMESA COMPETITION COMMISSION DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC* The COMESA Competition Commission (the Commission) is aware that these are unprecedented, uncertain and challenging times for undertakings and other stakeholders. In view of this, the (...)

The French Competition Authority is not able to guarantee the usual processing delays for mergers since its staff is working remotely during the COVID-19 situation Free
Baker Mckenzie (Paris)
France 6 contributions 17790 visits
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CARVE
2 contributions 3039 visits
The French government has taken preventive measures due to COVID-19, thereby forcing the members of the French Competition Authority to work remotely since 17 March 2020. This situation is already impacting on merger control: “Although we are striving to ensure continuity of public service, (…) (...)

The US DOJ extends its timing of merger investigations by 30 days and allows electronic filing of Hart-Scott-Rodino submissions among special measures due to COVID-19 Free
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 133 contributions 46855 visits
Justice Department Announces Antitrust Civil Process Changes for Pendency of COVID-19 Event* Process Changes Will Ensure that the Department Can Carry Out Its Enforcement Mission While Protecting the Health and Safety of Its Employees and the American Public The Department of Justice (...)

The EU Commission encourages companies to delay merger notifications until further notice due to the COVID-19 outbreak Free
Bird & Bird (Dusseldorf)
Germany 21 contributions 1970 visits
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Bird & Bird (Brussels)
Belgium 7 contributions 1145 visits
Challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a major impact on the “business continuity" of courts and regulatory authorities. This affects, in particular, merger control proceedings as these are typically subject to specific time limits that the authorities (...)

The EU Commission encourages the delay of merger notifications and electronic submission as special measures due to COVID-19 Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1104 contributions 2221549 visits
SPECIAL MEASURES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19* DELAY OF MERGER NOTIFICATIONS DG COMP has put in place a number of measures to ensure business continuity in the enforcement of the EU Merger Regulation. However, due to the complexities and disruptions caused by the Coronavirus, companies are (...)

The US FTC Premerger Notification Office temporarily institutes mandatory e-filing system as a special measure due to COVID-19 Free
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
United States 124 contributions 29547 visits
Premerger Notification Office Implements Temporary e-Filing System* Due to the developing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and consistent with guidance from the Office of Personnel Management, the Premerger Notification Office (PNO) will implement a temporary e-filing system. During this (...)

State Aid

 The EU Commission approves €700 million French scheme to support research, development and innovation projects by companies of all sizes and across all sectors
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1104 contributions 2221549 visits
State aid: Commission approves €700 million French scheme to support research, development and innovation projects across all sectors* The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €700 million French scheme to support research, development and innovation projects by (...)

The UK Government publishes consultation on how to define “subsidies of interest” and “subsidies of particular interest” under the new national subsidy control regime
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 37 contributions 6757 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 9 contributions 1331 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 7 contributions 1699 visits
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On 25 March 2022, the UK Government published a consultation on how “subsidies of interest” and “subsidies of particular interest” are to be defined under the UK’s new subsidy control regime. These concepts are fundamental, as they determine which subsidies are to be referred to the UK’s Competition (...)

The EU Commission adopts Temporary Crisis Framework to enable Member States to provide more State aid to mitigate the effects of the Russo-Ukranian war
King’s College (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 206 visits
Entrenching Emergency Soft Law* On the 23rd of March 2022 the European Commission adopted another Temporary Crisis Framework for State aid, this time in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (the Ukraine TF). The framework is meant to mitigate the economic impact of the war and EU (...)

The EU Court of Justice finds that the General Court erred in law when finding the Commission incompetent to examine, in the light of the law on State aid, the compensation paid to Swedish investors by Romania in implementation of an arbitral award (Micula)
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 288 contributions 61169 visits
The General Court erred in law in finding that the Commission lacked competence to examine, in the light of the law on State aid, the compensation paid to Swedish investors by Romania in implementation of an arbitral award* While that award had upheld the argument of those investors that that (...)

The EU Commission expands Temporary Framework to a recapitalization and subordinated debt measures to further support the economy in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1104 contributions 2221549 visits
State aid: Commission expands Temporary Framework to recapitalisation and subordinated debt measures to further support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has adopted a second amendment to extend the scope of the State aid Temporary Framework (...)

The EU Commission extends Temporary Framework to enable Member States to accelerate research, testing and production of coronavirus relevant products, to protect jobs, and to further support the economy in the COVID-19 outbreak Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1104 contributions 2221549 visits
State aid: Commission extends Temporary Framework to enable Member States to accelerate research, testing and production of coronavirus relevant products, to protect jobs and to further support the economy in the coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has adopted an amendment extending (...)

The EU Commission delays merger notifications until further notice and develops emergency State aid response to the COVID-19 outbreak Free
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 72 contributions 50664 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (London)
United Kingdom 45 contributions 19717 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 63 contributions 27239 visits
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As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads rapidly around the world, and countries take unprecedented measures to contain the spread of the disease, businesses are increasingly struggling with the economic impact of this crisis. While airlines, tour operators and event businesses have been among the (...)

The EU Commission encourages the delay of merger notifications and electronic submission as special measures due to COVID-19
Bird & Bird (Copenhagen)
Denmark 34 contributions 5657 visits
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Bird & Bird (Brussels)
Belgium 42 contributions 10226 visits
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been declared an exceptional occurrence, paving the way for more and faster approval of national State aid initiatives in the EU. The massive and unprecedented financial impact on the world economy has led to a number of European governments promising (...)

Procedures

 The EU General Court rules that the Commission must ensure a “best placed” national competition authority can safeguard fundamental rights (Sped-Pro)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 22 contributions 4752 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 32 contributions 7942 visits
In its Sped-Pro judgment of 9 February 2022, the General Court of the European Union (“General Court”) for the first time examined the impact of deficiencies in the rule of law in an EU Member State on determining which competition authority in the EU is best placed to examine a complaint (...)

The Indonesian Supreme Court issues new rules for appeal hearings of decisions of the Competition Authority at the Commercial Court
Baker McKenzie (Jakarta)
Indonesia 2 contributions 362 visits
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Baker McKenzie (Jakarta)
Indonesia 2 contributions 362 visits
A new regulation extending trials to a minimum of three months may help facilitate a more thorough appeals process. On 16 September 2021, the Indonesian Supreme Court ("ISC") issued new procedural rules for the appeal of decisions of the Indonesian Competition Commission ("ICC") at the (...)

The US FTC holds its first Commission meeting since the appointment of a new Chair and signals aggressive antitrust policy as part of government pro-enforcement agenda
Jones Day (Washington)
United States 15 contributions 2854 visits
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Jones Day (San Francisco)
United States 4 contributions 1447 visits
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Jones Day (Houston)
United States 31 contributions 14582 visits
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In Short The Situation: The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC"), which now has a 3-2 Democrat majority, held its first Commission meeting since President Biden appointed a new Chair, Lina M. Khan. The Commissioners voted on a number of measures that signal important changes from prior agency (...)

The US FTC holds an open meeting and adopts several significant proposals that lay the groundwork for what is expected to be an active, expansionist enforcement and rulemaking program at the agency
Covington & Burling (Washington)
United States 6 contributions 2976 visits
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Jones Day (Brisbane)
Australia 2 contributions 228 visits
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Covington & Burling (Washington)
United States 19 contributions 846 visits
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In her first public action, a mere 16 days after her confirmation and swearing-in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), on July 1, 2021, Lina Khan led a public, open meeting of the Commission to adopt several significant proposals that lay the groundwork for what is expected to be an (...)

The Indian Competition Authority relaxes signing rules for pleadings to include any employee authorized by the company board
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 62 contributions 16267 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 65 contributions 18263 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 65 contributions 17020 visits
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Regulation 11 of the Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations specify the signatories for an information or a reference to, or a reply to a notice or direction issued by, the CCI. In the case of a company, such pleadings shall be signed by the Managing Director or, in his or her (...)

The French Competition Authority opens a public consultation for the revision of its notice on fines following the transposition of the ECN+ Directive
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 689 contributions 332880 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence opens a public consultation for the revision of its Notice on Fines following the transposition of the ECN + directive* The update of the 2011 Notice on Fines The entry into force of ordinance n° 2021-649 of 26 May 2021 relating to the transposition of Directive (...)

The Indian Competition Authority amends its regulations to fix the composition of the bench in final hearings
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 57 contributions 14473 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 55 contributions 13899 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (Mumbai)
India 69 contributions 17428 visits
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The CCI amended the Competition Commission of India (Meeting for Transaction of Business) Regulations, 2009 to address the composition of the CCI “coram” (bench) in final hearings. It is now provided that, during such final hearings, the coram of the CCI shall remain constant and it alone will (...)

The French Competition Authority welcomes the decisive step towards transposition of the ECN+ Directive taken by Parliament with the adoption of the DDADUE bill containing various provisions adapting to EU law in the economic and financial field
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 689 contributions 332880 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence welcomes the decisive step towards transposition of the ECN+ Directive taken by Parliament on Wednesday with the adoption of the DDADUE bill* The adoption by Parliament on Wednesday 18 November 2020 of the DDADUE bill (a bill containing various provisions adapting (...)

The Indian Central Board of Direct Taxes authorizes income tax authorities to share information with the Competition Authority
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 6162 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 7780 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 7817 visits
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On July 30, 2020, the Central Board for Direct Tax (“CBDT”) amended notification S.O. No. 731 (E), originally issued on July 28, 2000, which specifies the terms and conditions for the disclosure of information to any officer, authority or body in regards with imposition of any tax, cess or duty (...)

The Indian Central Board of Direct Taxes specifies that the Competition Authority’s Director General and Secretary are eligible to obtain information on case parties from income tax authorities when needed
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 62 contributions 16263 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 65 contributions 18259 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 65 contributions 17016 visits
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The Central Board of Direct Taxes has specified the Director General (DG)/Secretary of the CCI as persons to whom relevant information may be given by specified income-tax authorities. [1] Such information must be relevant and precise and may be supplied only where it is necessary to enable the (...)

The Finnish Deputy Chancellor of Justice declares that the Competition Authority’s policy to prohibit recordings of hearings is declared unlawful under the national Competition Act
Dittmar & Indrenius (Helsinki)
Finland 4 contributions 1113 visits
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Hannes Snellman (Helsinki)
Finland 22 contributions 2435 visits
According to the decision of the Deputy Chancellor of Justice ("DCJ"), responsible for monitoring the lawfulness of the operations of public authorities, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority ("FCCA") cannot restrict the right of attorneys to record the hearings conducted by the FCCA (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority issues regulatory provisions on the use of electronic means in investigations and other procedures and considers the possibility of conducting all of its future procedures electronically
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
COFECE issues Regulatory Provisions on the use of electronic means in investigation procedures and other procedures* Through these Provisions and the technological tools that will accompany them, COFECE takes a step forward towards the possibility of conducting all of its procedures (...)

The Lithuanian Parliament amends the Competition Act with regard to such matters as independence, resources, powers and sanctions, in line with provisions of the Directive of the EU Parliament and Council
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 93 contributions 17101 visits
Competition Law Amendments Will Ensure More Effective Competition Enforcement in Lithuania* Today Seimas adopted amendments to the Law on Competition which will transpose the provisions of the Directive of the European Parliament and Council into national law, ensuring uniform regulation of (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority resumes dawn raids, interrogations, and public hearings that were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak Free
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) (The Hague)
Netherlands 179 contributions 29199 visits
ACM resumes dawn raids, interrogations, and public hearings* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has resumed conducting unannounced dawn raids and interrogations as part of investigations into possible violations committed by companies. In addition, ACM has resumed (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority extends for the fourth time its suspension of legal timelines for some procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and expands the list of suspended proceedings Free
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
Fourth agreement of the Board of Commissioners on the suspension of legal terms for some procedures filed before COFECE* Procedures and procedural stages established in the third agreement on the suspension of legal terms published on April 30 remain exempted and others are added. COFECE’s (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority accepts the First Circuit Collegiate Court’s precedent confirming that the Competition Authority is the national regulator with competence over digital platform merger cases (Uber / Cornershop)
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
The Judiciary reaches the decision that COFECE is the competent authority to resolve the concentration between Uber and Cornershop* The Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE or Commission) became aware, through the live broadcast of today’s session of the First Circuit (...)

The French Competition Authority announces reinstatement of certain statutory limits as first measures of the gradual lifting of the state of health emergency in France due to COVID-19 Free
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 689 contributions 332875 visits
Gradual lifting of the state of health emergency in France: re-instating statutory time limits* The time limits applying to various procedures have been suspended since 12 March 2020, the date on which the health emergency period started in France. Order No. 2020-560 of 13 May 2020 setting out (...)

The French Competition Authority reinstates deadlines for responding to statements of objections and reports which were suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak Free
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 689 contributions 332875 visits
Reinstatement of deadlines for responding to statements of objections and reports* In a press release dated 27 March 2020, the Autorité de la concurrence stated that “the two-month period available to companies to submit, in application of Article L. 463-2 of the French Commercial Code, their (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority extends its suspension of legal timelines for some procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic Free
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
Third agreement of the Board of Commissioners on the suspension of legal terms for some procedures filed before COFECE* The Board of Commissioners of the Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE or Commission) agreed to suspend, from May 6 until May 29, legal terms and deadlines (...)

The UNCTAD urges Competition Authorities to use all their tools to combat the adverse consequences of COVID-19 in the markets Free
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Switzerland 12 contributions 613 visits
Defending competition in the markets during COVID-19* Under normal circumstances competition is needed in markets to keep prices low, but with the COVID-19 crisis wreaking havoc on markets the world over, collaboration has taken precedence. The pandemic’s sweeping economic impact has left (...)

The Indian Competition Authority extends its office closure and suspension of hearing all non-urgent cases in line with the Government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak Free
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 62 contributions 16263 visits
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 65 contributions 18259 visits
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 65 contributions 17016 visits
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On 17 March, the CCI decided to adjourn all but urgent matters listed for hearing until 31 March 2020. A week later, on 23 March, it suspended: (a) all filings in relation to Sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act (anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position); (b) all (...)

The Brazilian Competition Authority clarifies procedural deadlines of the agency following the Government’s new COVID-19 measures Free
Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) (Brasilia)
Brazil 17 contributions 7492 visits
Clarifications regarding the procedural deadlines of the agency due to the Provisional Measure No. 928, of 23 March 2020* The Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade), due to the Provisional Measure No. 928, of 23 March 2020, which included the article 6°-C in the Law No. 13.979, of (...)

The European Competition Network publishes a brief joint statement on the application of competition law during the COVID-19 crisis Free
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Brussels)
Belgium 2 contributions 212 visits
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Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Paris)
France 14 contributions 25229 visits
In a welcomed attempt to align their approaches, the antitrust enforcers of the European Competition Network (ECN) have published a brief joint statement on the application of competition law during the Covid-19 crisis. If one may regret that its content remains too high-level, it is an (...)

The European Competition Network issues a joint statement on the application of competition law during the COVID-19 crisis, including allowing companies cooperation to meet demand, and reminding that excessive pricing will be sanctioned Free
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 209801 visits
Antitrust: Joint statement by the European Competition Network (ECN) on application of competition law during the Corona crisis* The ECN is fully aware of the social and economic consequences triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak in the EU/EEA. The different EU/EEA competition instruments have (...)

The European Competition Network issues a general joint statement on the application of competition rules during the COVID-19 outbreak Free
Dechert (Paris)
France 16 contributions 21645 visits
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Dechert (Brussels)
Belgium 23 contributions 30274 visits
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Dechert (Paris)
France 40 contributions 56938 visits
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Key Takeaways Following several individual initiatives by member state competition authorities to temporarily relax competition rules in specific sectors, the European Competition Network (which includes the European Commission and all member state competition authorities) has issued a more (...)

The UK Competition Authority launches a COVID-19 task force to both ensure compliance in the markets affected by the public health emergency and advises the Government on competition law matters during the Covid-19 pandemic Free
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80032 visits
CMA launches COVID-19 taskforce* The CMA is today launching a taskforce to tackle negative impacts within its remit of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 is an unprecedented and rapidly evolving challenge that has prompted many concerns that businesses might exploit the situation (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority switches all operations to telework, suspends all hearings, and asks new merging parties to consider postponing their mergers as measures due to COVID-19 outbreak Free
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 83 contributions 16057 visits
Information on the operation of the Hungarian Competition Authority due to the situation of the pandemic* Dear Clients and Colleagues, We would like to inform you that due to the state of emergency (State of Emergency) declared by the Government Decree 40/2020 (III.11.) on 11 March 2020, as (...)

The Belgian Competition Authority switches completely to teleworking due to COVID-19 and invites companies to delay all non-urgent mergers Free
Belgian Competition Authority (Brussels)
Belgium 70 contributions 18088 visits
COVID-19 measures* The offices of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) are closed until further notice. All staff members are teleworking and the handling of cases will continue. While we strive to ensure the continuity of public service, the containment measures imposed by the Government (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority suspends legal timeframes for most procedures due to COVID-19, except for mergers, public tenders, concessions, and permits Free
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
The Board of Commissioners decrees to stop legal terms for some procedures filed before COFECE* This measure does not apply to procedures for the notification of concentrations, the verification of notifications for concentrations that were legally bound to be presented before the Commission, (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority suspends most procedures in line with the Government’s Royal Decree declaring a state of alert but keeps open the e-services portal for procedures whose parties can prove that delay is against public interest Free
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 96 contributions 23107 visits
CoVid-19- Announcement from the CNMC on the timelines for administrative procedures* "Additional provision 3 of Royal Decree 463/2020 of 14 March, declaring the state of alert to manage the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19, provides for the suspension of periods and timelines for (...)

The UK Competition Authority switches to telework, suspends almost all physical shipments of documents, but promises to continue processing cases by set deadlines amid COVID-19 pandemic Free
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80032 visits
COVID-19: CMA working arrangements* Along with other businesses and organisations, the CMA continues to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19 and has adjusted its working arrangements in response. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is concerned above all to ensure the safety and (...)

The Malaysian Competition Authority temporarily closes its offices following the Government’s Movement Restriction Order due to COVID-19 Free
Malaysia Competition Commission (Kuala Lumpur)
Malaysia 1 contribution 150 visits
NOTICE OF TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MyCC OFFICE* In light of the current situation regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia and the recent Movement Restriction Order announced by the Honorable Prime Minister on the 16th of March 2020; the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) will be closing (...)

The German Competition Authority remains operational amidst COVID-19 outbreak, but asks undertakings to postpone submitting non-urgent cases Free
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 400 contributions 99872 visits
Communication with the Bundeskartellamt (Coronavirus measures)* The Bundeskartellamt’s operating capacity is currently ensured. We will inform you without delay of any limitations that may arise in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. You can contact us as usual by e-mail, phone, or fax, (...)

The Austrian Competition Authority temporarily suspends most business operations and announces an electronic system for submitting merger notifications as special measures due to COVID-19 Free
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 19 contributions 2856 visits
Corona (Covid-19) Update Further measures by the Austrian Federal Competition Authority 16. March 2020* The AFCA is doing its utmost in the current situation to maintain at least limited business operations, taking into account the current circumstances in terms of organisation, human (...)

Regulatory

 The Chinese National People’s Congress amends the Anti-Monopoly Law renewing focus on the digital sector, permitting increased fines and closer examination of potential killer acquisitions
King & Wood Mallesons (Beijing)
China 18 contributions 3915 visits
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King & Wood Mallesons (Beijing)
China 8 contributions 3091 visits
On 24 June 2022, the National People's Congress, the top legislator of China, adopted the Amendments to the Anti-Monopoly Law (“Amendments”), which will become effective on 1 August 2022. This is the first time that China amended the Anti-Monopoly Law (“AML”) since it was promulgated in 2008. (...)

The Chinese National People’s Congress amends the national competition law Act, in the first update in fifteen years and includes a new grading system for merger control
University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Beijing)
2 contributions 3841 visits
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Hong Kong Competition Commission (Wanchai)
Hong Kong 2 contributions 3841 visits
On 24 June 2022, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress voted to enact the amendment to the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC (2022 AML), which will come into effect as of 1 August 2022. It is the first time for the Chinese legislator to revise the AML since it was promulgated (...)

The UK Government signals increased scope of merger control in two recent legislative consultations
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 6 contributions 1026 visits
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Slaughter and May (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 110 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 110 visits
The UK Government’s responses to its consultations on ‘Reforming competition and consumer policy’ (April 2022) and ‘A new pro-competitive regime for digital markets’ (May 2022) included three proposals to amend or add jurisdictional or reporting criteria for the UK merger control regime. These would (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes its annual concurrency report outlining inter-agency cooperation throughout the year
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80032 visits
Regulators promote competition across sectors in 2021 to 2022* The CMA’s Annual Concurrency Report shows how competition authorities have helped deliver benefits to households in 2021 to 2022 in the regulated sectors. Competition law in the UK is enforced by the Competition and Markets (...)

The Belgian Parliament passes law implementing ECN+ directive notably reinforcing the leniency program and empowering investigative tools
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 36 contributions 9383 visits
Belgium implements ECN+ Directive and reforms competition rules On 7 March 2022, a law of 28 February 2022 reforming the Belgian competition rules (“Law”) was published in the Belgian Official Journal. This Law, which will enter into force in the coming days, will implement Directive 2019/1, (...)

The UK Competition Authority updates its guidance as the National Security and Investment Act enters into force
Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 13 contributions 3619 visits
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Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 9 contributions 2094 visits
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Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 5 contributions 1271 visits
The UK’s new National Security and Investment Act (“NSIA”) entered into force on January 4, 2022. The NSIA marks a considerable change in the UK’s investment screening powers and adds to an increasingly complex European and global landscape of investment regulation (or FDI) filings necessary for (...)

The UK Government releases the National Security and Investment Act, introducing a new foreign direct investment regime with standalone powers for the review of FDI
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 18 contributions 6818 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 9 contributions 1331 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 47 contributions 16603 visits
On 4 January 2022 the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act enters into force, introducing a new foreign direct investment (FDI) regime with standalone powers for the review of FDI in the UK. The new regime replaces the existing public interest merger regime provisions of the Enterprise (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority, the Data Protection Authority, the Financial Markets Authority, and the Media Authority announce the launch of a Digital Regulation Cooperation Platform, highlighting their intention to work together more closely to strengthen oversight of digital and online activities
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) (The Hague)
Netherlands 179 contributions 29199 visits
Dutch regulators strengthen oversight of digital activities by intensifying cooperation* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP), the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), and the Dutch Media Authority (CvdM) will work (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority publishes the final version of its study of competition in the public service of rail freight transport concluding that rail transport requires regulatory changes to increase the country’s competitiveness
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
Rail transport requires regulatory changes to increase the country’s competitiveness: COFECE* There is low intensity of competition in the railway system: only in 35% of the routes two or more concessionaires participate; in addition, in barely 6% of the municipalities with railroads have two (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority publishes emergency regulatory provisions for processing and handling complaints in matters about the advertisement industry
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
COFECE publishes the Emergency Regulatory Provisions for processing and handling complaints in matters of the Advertising Law* In view of the imminent entry into force of said law, this September 1, and with the aim to provide legal certainty in the procedures to be carried out in this regard, (...)

The UK Government introduces the National Security & Investment Act enhancing its power to review foreign investments
Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 13 contributions 3619 visits
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Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 5 contributions 1271 visits
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Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 9 contributions 2094 visits
The UK Government has announced that the National Security & Investment Act (“NSIA”) will come into force on January 4, 2022. The NSIA introduces mandatory notification and pre-clearance requirements for certain qualifying acquisitions of control of companies active in 17 ‘core’ sectors. The (...)

The UK government announces the date on which the National Security and Investment Act will enter into force
Morgan Lewis (London)
United Kingdom 24 contributions 8160 visits
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Morgan Lewis (London)
United Kingdom 11 contributions 4938 visits
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Morgan Lewis (London)
United Kingdom 8 contributions 1310 visits
The UK government announced on 20 July that the National Security and Investment Act will enter into force on 4 January 2022. This act introduces mandatory filings for certain investments raising national security concerns, grants the UK government extensive call-in powers for up to five years (...)

The UK Government confirms the commencement date and scope of the National Security and Investment Act
Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 13 contributions 3619 visits
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Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 5 contributions 1271 visits
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Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 9 contributions 2094 visits
The UK Government has announced that the National Security & Investment Act (“NSIA”) will come into force on January 4, 2022. The NSIA introduces mandatory notification and pre-clearance requirements for certain qualifying acquisitions of control of companies active in 17 ‘core’ sectors. The (...)

The US President Joe Biden publishes an executive order containing 72 initiatives to address competition concerns in several industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, and healthcare
White & Case (New York)
United States 6 contributions 1647 visits
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White & Case (New York)
United States 6 contributions 2319 visits
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White & Case (Washington)
United States 10 contributions 2847 visits
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Citing concerns about growing consolidation, reduced competition, and increasing prices, President Biden issued on July 9, 2021 a sweeping Executive Order containing 72 initiatives to address competition concerns in a number of industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, and healthcare. In (...)

The US President Joe Biden signs a sweeping executive order to promote competition, including formation of the White House Competition Council, and directions to federal agencies to crack down on anticompetitive practices and concentrated markets
Constantine Cannon (New York)
United States 3 contributions 2056 visits
Antitrust enforcement in the United States could be reinvigorated to an extent not seen in decades as a result of President Biden’s sweeping executive order on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” (the “Order”), which aims to enhance business competition, curb corporate dominance, and (...)

The US President Joe Biden signs an executive order aimed at promoting competition in the American economy using antitrust laws
Shearman & Sterling (Washington)
United States 2 contributions 1565 visits
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Shearman & Sterling (Washington)
United States 8 contributions 2437 visits
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Shearman & Sterling (Washington)
United States 13 contributions 9735 visits
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What This Means for Merger Enforcement, Technology Platforms, Healthcare, Banking and Consumer Finance and Labor Markets On Friday, July 9, 2021, President Biden signed a sweeping Executive Order (and provided an accompanying FACT Sheet) with the stated goal of using existing antitrust laws (...)

The US President Joe Biden issues sweeping executive order targeting corporate consolidation and anticompetitive activity in the labor, financial services, health care, transportation, telecommunications, agricultural, and tech markets
Hogan Lovells (Washington)
United States 1 contribution 679 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Washington)
United States 1 contribution 679 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Washington)
United States 1 contribution 679 visits
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On 9 July 2021 President Biden signed a far-reaching executive order intended to promote competition in the American economy. The order targets perceived corporate consolidation and anticompetitive activity in the labor, financial services, health care, transportation, telecommunications, (...)

The US President Joe Biden issues an executive order which articulates the administration’s broad antitrust policy and instructs antitrust agencies to increase enforcement to prevent a rise in consumer prices and competitive harm in labor markets
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Washington)
United States 9 contributions 1742 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Washington)
United States 14 contributions 5585 visits
Takeaways Under the Biden administration’s “whole-of-government” approach to promoting competition, a range of agencies outside the DOJ and FTC have been asked to use their authority to reform markets. Wide-ranging procedural changes at the FTC have expanded its review powers and complicated (...)

The US President Joe Biden signs an executive order instructing more than a dozen federal agencies to promptly tackle some of the most pressing competition problems across the national economy
White & Case (Washington)
United States 39 contributions 23373 visits
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White & Case (Washington)
United States 26 contributions 15924 visits
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White & Case (New York)
United States 10 contributions 4734 visits
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A new Executive Order signed by President Biden includes 72 initiatives instructing more than a dozen federal agencies, including the US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, to, according to the White House’s Fact Sheet, "promptly tackle some of the most pressing competition (...)

The US President Joe Biden signs an executive order on promoting competition in the American economy
Jones Day (Chicago)
United States 1 contribution 510 visits
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Jones Day (Washington)
United States 2 contributions 741 visits
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Jones Day (Washington)
United States 15 contributions 2854 visits
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In Short The Situation: President Biden recently signed an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy (the "Order") outlining 72 initiatives by more than a dozen federal agencies to combat "excessive" corporate consolidation and increase competition across the U.S. (...)

The US President Joe Biden issues an executive order affirming his administration’s policy of enforcing the antitrust laws to “combat the excessive consolidation of industry” and encourages enforcers to address hospital consolidation
McDermott Will & Emery (Chicago)
United States 9 contributions 2034 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Chicago)
United States 1 contribution 160 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Washington)
United States 4 contributions 824 visits
INTRODUCTION President Biden recently issued an executive order affirming his administration’s policy of enforcing the antitrust laws to “combat the excessive consolidation of industry” and cited healthcare markets as one of several priorities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the US (...)

The US President Joe Biden issues an executive order on promoting competition in the American economy calling on the DoJ and FTC to enforce the antitrust laws vigorously
Bona Law (San Diego)
United States 5 contributions 832 visits
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Bona Law (Detroit)
United States 22 contributions 4645 visits
Antitrust Political Developments: Biden Administration Issues Executive Order on Competition and Congress Proposes Six New Antitrust Bills* This month President Biden issued the Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy (the “Order”). The Order aims to reduce the trend of (...)

The Mexican Federal Judicial Power recognizes the Competition Authority’s competence over the markets of online search services, social networks and cloud computing
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
The Federal Judiciary Power resolves that COFECE is the competent authority over the markets for online search services, social networks and cloud computing* The Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE or Commission) learnt, through a live broadcast of the session of the First (...)

The Slovak Parliament passes an expansive Competition Act that expands upon the ECN+ Directive
Čechová & Partners (Bratislava)
Slovakia 13 contributions 18175 visits
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Čechová & Partners (Bratislava)
Slovakia 5 contributions 1599 visits
The implementation of Directive 2019/1 to empower the competition authorities of the Member States to be more effective enforcers and to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market (ECN+ Directive) is a topic that resonates in competition law circles all over the EU. In Slovakia, the (...)

The Spanish Parliament passes new Competition Act implementing the ECN+ Directive broadly reinforcing and clarifying existing powers of the Spanish Competition Authority rather than making sweeping reforms
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 147 contributions 41239 visits
Royal Decree-Law 7/2021, of 27 April, has implemented into Spanish law EU Directive 2019/1 of 11 December 2018 empowering the competition authorities of Member States (OJ L11/3, 14.1.2019) (ECN+ Directive). The reform approved is less ambitious than anticipated by the preparatory works. No (...)

The EU Commission publishes its set of rules to reform the online space called the Digital Services Act and the Digital Market Act in order to harmonize rules for regulating digital platforms
Arendt & Medernach (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 2 contributions 364 visits
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Arendt & Medernach (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 1 contribution 136 visits
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Arendt & Medernach (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 1 contribution 136 visits
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On 15 December 2020, the European Commission published a long-awaited set of rules intended to reform the online space, in two parts: (i) the proposal for a regulation on a Single Market for Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC, called the “Digital Services Act” or “DSA”, setting out (...)

The EU Commission’s new FDI regulation becomes directly applicable in Malta
Fenech & Fenech Advocates (Valletta)
Malta 2 contributions 120 visits
The global nature of many corporate transactions involving subsidiaries and affiliates located all around the world has spurred the need for the enactment of Regulation (EU) 2019/452 (the “Regulation”). Foreign direct investment controls vary in different countries across the globe but prior to (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority signs memorandum of understanding on its cooperation with the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgium 107 contributions 23426 visits
ESA signs MoU with ACER* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on its cooperation with the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). The adoption of the MoU is intended to put in place practical arrangements to (...)

The Australian Competition Authority grants authorisation to the first national voluntary battery stewardship scheme (Battery Stewardship Council)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australia 311 contributions 68710 visits
Voluntary battery stewardship scheme granted authorisation* The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) will be able to establish and operate a national scheme for managing expired batteries under an authorisation granted by the ACCC. BSC was formed in 2018 with the primary goal of establishing a (...)

The Irish Competition Authority launches public consultation on public liability insurance market
Irish Competition Authority (Dublin)
Ireland 74 contributions 12617 visits
CCPC launches public consultation on public liability insurance market* The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) announced today that it has opened a public consultation and is seeking views from stakeholders on their experiences in the public liability insurance market. (...)

The French Competition Authority publishes its study on competition and e-commerce
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 689 contributions 332875 visits
The Autorité has published a study on competition and e-commerce* The growth of e-commerce is profoundly changing distribution. The physical distribution model is facing strong competition from the growth of online sales, which may be the result of “pure play” online retailers and strategies (...)

The US FTC supports new provisions by the US centers for medicare & medicaid services aimed at reducing or eliminating restrictive Medicare payment requirements for telehealth and related services during the COVID-19 pandemic Free
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
United States 124 contributions 29547 visits
FTC Comment Supports Provisions in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Interim Final Rule that Reduce or Eliminate Restrictive Medicare Payment Requirements for Telehealth and Related Services during Pandemic* The staffs of the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Policy Planning, (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority invites the public to complete a questionnaire on competition in rail transport
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
COFECE invites the public to complete a questionnaire on competition in rail transport* With this exercise, the Commission initiates its works to draft a document about competition in the public service for rail freight transport aimed at detecting possible obstacles to the efficient (...)

The French Competition Authority, along with 7 other national public and administrative authorities, takes action on climate change
Covington & Burling (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 899 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 32 contributions 5650 visits
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Covington & Burling (Brussels)
Belgium 38 contributions 14057 visits
At a time when COVID-19 is having direct and indirect effects on the reduction of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and ensuing global warming, eight French regulators, including the French Competition Authority, issued on 5 May 2020 a joint working paper in which they highlight the need to take (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority publishes its digital strategy outlining the procedure for analysis and investigations in digital markets
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexico 110 contributions 21995 visits
COFECE publishes its COFECE Digital Strategy, explaining the actions it will undertake to successfully address analyses and investigations in digital markets* The Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE or Commission) presents to the general public the document COFECE Digital (...)

The UK Competition Authority proposes reforms to the Scottish legal services sector
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 306 contributions 80028 visits
CMA proposes reforms to Scottish legal services sector* The CMA has completed a research project to examine competition and regulation in the Scottish legal services sector. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is recommending a series of measures to improve the information made (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority issues letter to the Canadian Bar Association regarding impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations Free
Canadian Competition Bureau (Gatineau)
Canada 43 contributions 6997 visits
Letter from the Commissioner to the Canadian Bar Association regarding impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic* GATINEAU, March 18, 2020 – Today, the Commissioner of Competition issued an open letter to executive members of the Canadian Bar Association’s Competition Law Section providing information on (...)

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