The EU Commission launches public consultation on draft non-horizontal merger guidelines

"Commission launches public consultation on draft Non-Horizontal Merger Guidelines"*I. Introduction On 13 February, the Commission launched a public consultation on draft Guidelines on the assessment of non-horizontal mergers under the Merger Regulation. Non-horizontal mergers include vertical mergers, such as the acquisition of a supplier by a customer (for example, a car manufacturer acquiring a gearbox supplier), and conglomerate mergers, which concern companies whose activities are complementary or otherwise related (for instance, a company producing razors buying a company producing shaving foam). Interested parties are invited to submit their comments on the draft Guidelines by 12 May. It is anticipated that, following the consultations, the definitive version of the