COMPETITION POLICY

COMPETITION POLICY

• Mergers: Commission alleges Telefónica breached commitments given to secure clearance of E-Plus acquisition
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 22 February 2019 The European Commission has sent a Statement of Objections to Telefónica Deutschland alleging the company breached commitments it offered to secure the Commission's approval under the EU Merger Regulation of its acquisition of E-Plus in 2014....
• Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections in the farmed Atlantic salmon sector
  European Commission - Statement Brussels, 19 February 2019 The European Commission can confirm that on 19 February 2019 its officials carried out unannounced inspections in several Member States at the premises of several companies in the sector of farmed Atlantic salmon....
• Statement by Commissioner Vestager on the proposed acquisition of Alstom by Siemens and the proposed acquisition of Aurubis Rolled Products and Schwermetall by Wieland
  European Commission - Statement Brussels, 6 February 2019 * Check against delivery *   Prohibition decisions are rare, and it's the first time we announce two prohibition decisions on the same day. The large majority of mergers we review are cleared, either because they don't pose a problem......
• Mergers: Commission prohibits Siemens' proposed acquisition of Alstom
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 6 February 2019 The European Commission has prohibited Siemens' proposed acquisition of Alstom under the EU Merger Regulation. The merger would have harmed competition in markets for railway signalling systems and very high-speed trains....
• Mergers: Commission prohibits Wieland's proposed acquisition of Aurubis Rolled Products and Schwermetall
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 6 February 2019 The European Commission has prohibited, under the EU Merger Regulation, Wieland's proposed acquisition of Aurubis Rolled Products and Aurubis' stake in Schwermetall....
• State aid: 2018 Scoreboard shows that over 96% of aid measures could be implemented quickly and without notifying the Commission in advance
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 24 January 2019 The 2018 State Aid Scoreboard, published today by the European Commission, shows the positive role of State aid policy in steering public support towards objectives of common European interest and confirms the benefits of the State Aid Modernisation package....
• Mergers: Commission approves BASF's acquisition of Solvay's nylon business, subject to conditions
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 January 2019 The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Solvay's nylon business by BASF. The approval is conditional on the divestiture of a remedy package....
• State aid: Commission approves Bavarian project for Gigabit broadband networks
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 December 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a Bavarian project to deploy very high capacity networks in six municipalities. The aid will bring very fast broadband to customers in areas where the market does not provide them, in......
• Statement by Commissioner Vestager on the approval of plan by France, Germany, Italy and the UK to give €1.75 billion public support to joint research and innovation project in microelectronics
  European Commission - Statement Brussels, 18 December 2018 * Check against delivery * Today, the European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules 1.75 billion euros of public investment for an important project in the microelectronics sector....
• State aid: Commission approves plan by France, Germany, Italy and the UK to give €1.75 billion public support to joint research and innovation project in microelectronics
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 December 2018 The European Commission has found that an integrated project jointly notified by France, Germany, Italy and the UK for research and innovation in microelectronics, a key enabling technology, is in line with EU State aid rules and contributes to a common......
• Antitrust: Commission fines Guess €40 million for anticompetitive agreements to block cross-border sales
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 17 December 2018 The European Commission today fined the clothing company Guess €39 821 000 for restricting retailers from online advertising and selling cross-border to consumers in other Member States (geo-blocking), in breach of EU competition rules....
• Antitrust: Commission fines BEH Group € 77 million for blocking access to key natural gas infrastructure in Bulgaria
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 17 December 2018 The European Commission has fined Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), its gas supply subsidiary Bulgargaz and its gas infrastructure subsidiary Bulgartransgaz (the BEH group) €77 068 000 for blocking competitors' access to key gas infrastructure in Bulgaria, in breach of EU antitrust......
• State aid: Romania needs to recover incompatible aid from petrochemical company Oltchim
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 17 December 2018 The European Commission has found that Romanian petrochemical company Oltchim received around €335 million of incompatible aid from Romania, since the company's failed privatisation in September 2012. Romania must now recover this aid from Oltchim....
• State aid: Commission clears Italian rescue aid to Condotte d'Acqua
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 12 December 2018 The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Italian plans to grant a €190 million State guarantee to Condotte d'Acqua S.p.A. in Amministrazione Straordinaria....
• State aid: Commission finds no aid in €1.1 billion extension of Athens International Airport concession
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 12 December 2018 The European Commission has authorised Greece, under EU State aid rules, to extend by 20 years the concession granted to AIA to operate Athens International Airport....
• State aid: Commission approves €350 million in public funding to promote shift of freight transport from road to rail in Germany
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 10 December 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a German aid scheme to promote the shift of freight traffic from road to rail. The scheme will support rail freight operators in Germany in order to contribute to a reduction......
• State aid: Commission approves €600 million in public support for innovative solar power installations in France
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 27 November 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a measure to support innovative installations for electricity production from solar energy. The measure will further support the EU's energy and climate objectives without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market....
• State aid: Commission approves aid-free privatisation of German HSH Nordbank
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 26 November 2018 The European Commission has approved the sale of HSH Nordbank by the German Länder of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein to private investors, after finding the sale was carried out through an open, competitive and non-discriminatory process and resulted in a positive price......
• Mergers: Commission clears the creation of six joint ventures by Daimler and BMW, subject to conditions
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 7 November 2018 The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of six joint ventures by Daimler and BMW, subject to conditions. Daimler and BMW, both active in car manufacturing, will establish six joint ventures, bringing together the two companies'......
• Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into new joint venture proposed by steel suppliers Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 30 October 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed creation of a joint venture by Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp, under the EU Merger Regulation....
• Mergers: Commission approves Mars' acquisition of AniCura, subject to conditions
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 29 October 2018 The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of AniCura, a veterinary clinic chain, by Mars, a supplier of pet food, including dietetic pet food. The approval is conditional on the divestment of AniCura's VetFamily business....
• Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of sole control over EMI Music Publishing by Sony
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 26 October 2018 The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of EMI Music Publishing by Sony Corporation of America. The Commission found the deal raises no competition concerns, in particular as it will not increase Sony's market power......
• State aid: Commission approves extension of Danish tonnage tax scheme to new types of vessels
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 12 October 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules the extension of the existing Danish tonnage tax scheme to additional types of vessels. This will encourage ship registration in Europe and contribute to the global competitiveness of the sector without......
• State aid: Commission approves Slovakia's €125 million investment aid to Jaguar Land Rover
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 4 October 2018 The European Commission has concluded that Slovakia's €125 million investment aid to Jaguar Land Rover is in line with EU State aid rules. The aid will contribute to the development of the region of Nitra, without unduly distorting competition in the......
• State aid: Commission approves Hungary's €45 million investment aid to BorsodChem
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 28 September 2018 The European Commission has found Hungary's €45 million investment aid to chemical company BorsodChem Zrt to be in line with EU State aid rules. The aid will contribute to the development of the region of Northern Hungary and reduce environmental risks,......
• Antitrust: Commission opens formal investigation into possible collusion between BMW, Daimler and the VW group on clean emission technology
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 September 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether BMW, Daimler and VW (Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche) colluded, in breach of EU antitrust rules, to avoid competition on the development and roll-out of technology to clean the emissions of petrol......
• Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of sole control of Wind Tre by Hutchison, subject to conditions
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 31 August 2018 The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation Hutchison's acquisition of sole control of Wind Tre, currently controlled by Hutchison and VEON....
• State aid: Commission approves three support measures for renewable energy in Denmark
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 17 August 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules three schemes to support electricity production from wind and solar in Denmark in 2018 and 2019. Denmark has a goal of supplying 50% of its energy consumption from renewable energy sources......
• Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of LaudaMotion by Ryanair
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 12 July 2018 The European Commission has approved unconditionally under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of LaudaMotion by Ryanair. The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area....
• State aid: Spain needs to recover around €167 million of incompatible aid from postal operator Correos
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 10 July 2018 The European Commission has found that Correos, the publicly-owned Spanish postal operator, was overcompensated for the delivery of its universal postal service obligation between 2004 and 2010, and also benefited from incompatible tax exemptions....
• Mergers: Commission approves the proposed acquisition of Abertis by ACS and Atlantia
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 6 July 2018 The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Abertis by ACS (together with its subsidiary Hochtief) and Atlantia. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area....
• State aid: Commission approves reductions of nuclear levy for electro-intensive users in Slovakia
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 6 July 2018 The European Commission has found Slovakia's plan to grant reductions on a nuclear levy to certain electro-intensive users to be in line with EU State aid rules. The measure will contribute to the competitiveness of these companies without unduly distorting competition......
• State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into tax exemptions for companies in the Madeira Free Zone
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 6 July 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to examine whether Portugal has applied the Madeira Free Zone regional aid scheme in conformity with the 2007 and 2013 Commission decisions approving it....
• Antitrust: Commission opens investigation into restrictions to the free flow of gas sold by Qatar Petroleum in Europe
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 21 June 2018 The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to assess whether supply agreements between Qatar Petroleum companies exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and European importers have hindered the free flow of gas within the European Economic Area (EEA), in breach of......
• Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of Tele2 NL by T-Mobile NL in the Netherlands
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 12 June 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Tele2 NL by T-Mobile NL under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the merger could lead to higher prices, and reduce choice and innovation......
• Competition: Commission agrees framework for dialogue on competition policy issues with Mexico
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 4 June 2018 Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, and Chairwoman Alejandra Palacios of Mexico's competition authority COFECE have signed today in Brussels a cooperation arrangement between the two competition authorities....
• Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of General Electric Industrial Solutions by ABB
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 1 June 2018 The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of GEIS by ABB, both global suppliers of electrical products and systems. The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the relevant markets within the......
• Statement by Commissioner Vestager on Commission decision imposing binding obligations on Gazprom to enable free flow of gas at competitive prices
  European Commission - Speech - [Check Against Delivery] Brussels, 24 May 2018 *Check against delivery* Today, the Commission has adopted a decision imposing on Gazprom a set of obligations. These obligations will significantly change the way Gazprom operates in Central and Eastern European gas markets....
• Antitrust: Commission imposes binding obligations on Gazprom to enable free flow of gas at competitive prices in Central and Eastern European gas markets
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 24 May 2018 The European Commission has adopted a decision imposing on Gazprom a set of obligations that address the Commission's competition concerns and enable the free flow of gas at competitive prices in Central and Eastern European gas markets, to the benefit of......
• State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into restructuring support for Romanian National Uranium Company
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 8 May 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether various public support measures from Romania in favour of the National Uranium Company are in line with EU rules on State aid to companies in difficulty....
• State aid: Commission approves investment plan for Italian motorways
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 27 April 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Italian plans to prolong two motorway concessions and impose a cap on their tolls. This will enable around €8.5 billion of investments to go ahead while reducing the impact on users......
• Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Apple's proposed acquisition of Shazam
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 23 April 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Shazam by Apple under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the merger could reduce choice for users of music streaming services....
• Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections concerning distribution of sports media rights and other related rights
  European Commission - Fact Sheet Brussels, 10 April 2018 The European Commission can confirm that on 10 April 2018 its officials carried out unannounced inspections in several Member States at the premises of companies active in the distribution of media rights and related rights pertaining to various sports events and/or......
• State aid: Commission concludes Dutch guarantee scheme to support fast growing medium and large-companies involves no aid
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 26 March 2018 The European Commission has found that the Extended Growth Facility (also known as GO), a Dutch guarantee scheme to support medium and large companies, does not involve State aid....
• State aid: Commission approves €4.7 billion public support scheme for advanced biomethane and biofuels in Italy
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 1 March 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules an Italian support scheme for the production and distribution of advanced biofuels, including advanced biomethane....
• Mergers: Commission clears merger between Essilor and Luxottica
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 1 March 2018 The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed merger between Essilor and Luxottica, two leaders in the optical industry. The Commission concluded that the merger would not adversely affect competition in the European Economic Area or any......
• Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed merger between Praxair and Linde
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 16 February 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed merger between Praxair and Linde under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the merger may reduce competition in the supply of several crucial gases, like oxygen......
• State aid: Commission approves Belgian certificates schemes for renewable electricity and high-efficiency cogeneration in Flanders
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 16 February 2018 The European Commission has concluded the certificates schemes for renewable electricity and high-efficiency cogeneration implemented in Flanders (Belgium) to be in line with EU State aid rules. The two schemes contribute to reaching EU energy and climate goals whilst preserving competition....
• State aid: Commission approves six electricity capacity mechanisms to ensure security of supply in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 7 February 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules electricity capacity mechanisms in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland. The Commission found that the measures will contribute to ensuring security of supply whilst preserving competition in the Single Market....
• State aid: Commission approves six electricity capacity mechanisms to ensure security of supply in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland - Factsheet
  European Commission - Fact Sheet Brussels, 7 February 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules electricity capacity mechanisms in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland. The Commission found that the measures will contribute to ensuring security of supply whilst preserving competition in the Single Market....
• State aid: Commission finds Irish National Asset Management Agency did not breach EU rules
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 25 January 2018 Following a complaint, the European Commission has assessed whether the Irish National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) has benefited from illegal State aid and whether it granted undue advantages to certain property developers....
• Mergers: Commission refers the acquisition of Pini Polonia by Smithfield to the Polish competition authority
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 23 January 2018 The European Commission has referred the proposed transaction between Smithfield Foods of the US and Pini Polonia of Poland to the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) at its request....
• State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into restructuring aid for Polish Regional Railways
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 23 January 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into restructuring aid for Polish Regional Railways. The Commission has concerns that the company may already have received State aid in the past....
• State aid: Commission clears rescue aid for Croatian shipbuilder Uljanik
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 22 January 2018 The European Commission has found Croatian plans to grant Uljanik shipyard a State guarantee for a €96 million loan are in line with EU State aid rules. The measure will allow the company to meet urgent liquidity needs while preparing a......
• State aid: Commission approves Polish investment aid to SMEs in the shipbuilding sector; opens investigation into Polish tax incentive for shipyards
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 15 January 2018 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Polish support to SMEs in the shipbuilding sector. This measure will encourage new investment and benefit regional development in Poland....
• State aid: Commission approves Greek auction scheme for renewable electricity
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 4 January 2018 The European Commission has found a Greek auction scheme for the production of electricity from renewable sources and high efficiency cogeneration to be in line with EU State aid rules....
• State aid: Commission approves progressive application of renewable energy surcharge for certain self-suppliers of electricity in Germany
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 19 December 2017 The European Commission has endorsed under EU State aid rules German plans to progressively apply renewable energy surcharges to certain self-suppliers of electricity. The surcharge reform will contribute to lower electricity bills for consumers, in a sustainable way for existing self-suppliers....
• State aid: Commission approves introduction of tradable phosphate rights for dairy cattle in the Netherlands
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 19 December 2017 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a trading system for phosphate rights for dairy cattle in the Netherlands. The measure aims to improve water quality in the Netherlands by limiting phosphate production from dairy cattle manure and......
• State Aid: Commission approves Irish support scheme for SMEs
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 19 December 2017 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules an Irish scheme to reduce the taxation of employee share options for SMEs. The scheme will allow small and medium-sized companies to recruit and retain employees without unduly distorting competition in......
• State aid: Commission approves the Maltese tonnage tax scheme subject to commitments
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 19 December 2017 The European Commission has conditionally approved under EU State aid rules the Maltese tonnage tax scheme for a period of 10 years. The scheme will ensure a level playing field between Maltese and other European shipping companies, and will encourage ship......
• State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into the Netherlands' tax treatment of Inter IKEA
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 December 2017 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into the Netherlands' tax treatment of Inter IKEA, one of the two groups operating the IKEA business....
• State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into support for Romanian rail freight operator CFR Marfa
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 December 2017 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether debt write-offs by the Romanian state in favour of rail freight operator CFR Marfa, and the failure to collect debts from the company, have given the company an unfair advantage......
• State aid: Commission approves PLN 40 billion (around €9.4 billion) Polish support scheme for renewable energy
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 13 December 2017 The European Commission approved under EU State aid rules a Polish renewable energy scheme and a reduced levy to finance the scheme for energy-intensive users....
• Statement by Commissioner Vestager on the International Skating Union infringing EU competition rules by imposing restrictive penalties on athletes
  European Commission - Statement Brussels, 8 December 2017 * Please check against delivery *   The Commission has decided that the eligibility rules of the International Skating Union – the ISU – are illegal under EU competition law....