COMPETITION POLICY

COMPETITION POLICY

• 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....
• Antitrust: International Skating Union's restrictive penalties on athletes breach EU competition rules
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 8 December 2017 The European Commission has decided that International Skating Union (ISU) rules imposing severe penalties on athletes participating in speed skating competitions that are not authorised by the ISU are in breach of EU antitrust law....
• Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to AB InBev for preventing cheaper imports of beer into Belgium
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 30 November 2017 The European Commission has informed AB InBev of its preliminary view that the company has abused its dominant position on the Belgian beer market, by hindering cheaper imports of its Jupiler and Leffe beers from the Netherlands and France into Belgium....
• State aid: Commission approves Irish support scheme for SMEs in difficulty
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 30 November 2017 The European Commission has found a €10 million Irish aid scheme to facilitate the restructuring of SMEs in Ireland, to be in line with EU State aid rules. The scheme will help SMEs in financial difficulty restore their competitiveness, whilst preserving......
• State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Spain's support for coal power plants
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 27 November 2017 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether Spain's environmental incentive for coal power plants is in line with EU State aid rules....
• State aid: Commission confirms most Greek measures for Hellenic Defence Systems do not involve aid; orders recovery of some public support for civil activities
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 20 November 2017 The European Commission has concluded that Greek measures for Hellenic Defence Systems fall outside the scope of EU State aid control because they protect Greece's essential security interests....
• Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Bard by BD, subject to conditions
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 October 2017 The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Bard by BD. Both companies supply medical devices. The decision is conditional on the divestment of BD's core needle biopsy devices business, and tissue marker product that is......
• Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed merger of Celanese's and Blackstone's acetate tow activities
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 17 October 2017 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed creation of an acetate flake and acetate tow joint venture by Celanese and Blackstone under the EU Merger Regulation....
• State aid: Commission approves Portuguese restructuring plan and support for sale of Novo Banco, completing 2014 resolution of Banco Espírito Santo
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 11 October 2017 The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Portuguese aid for the sale of Novo Banco. The measures will allow the new private owner to launch its ambitious restructuring plan aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the bank,......
• Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections concerning access to bank account information by competing services
  European Commission - Fact Sheet Brussels, 6 October 2017 The European Commission can confirm that on 3 October 2017 its officials carried out unannounced inspections in a few Member States concerning online access to bank account information by competing service providers....
• Statement by Commissioner Vestager on illegal tax benefits to Amazon in Luxembourg and referring Ireland to Court for failure to recover illegal tax benefits from Apple
  European Commission - Statement Brussels, 4 October 2017 *Please check against delivery*   The Commission has today adopted a decision that Amazon's tax benefits in Luxembourg are illegal under EU State aid rules. A tax ruling granted by Luxembourg has reduced Amazon's tax bill for more than eight......
• State aid: Commission finds Luxembourg gave illegal tax benefits to Amazon worth around €250 million
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 4 October 2017 The European Commission has concluded that Luxembourg granted undue tax benefits to Amazon of around €250 million. This is illegal under EU State aid rules because it allowed Amazon to pay substantially less tax than other businesses....
• State aid: Commission refers Ireland to Court for failure to recover illegal tax benefits from Apple worth up to €13 billion
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 4 October 2017 The European Commission has decided to refer Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failing to recover from Apple illegal State aid worth up to €13 billion, as required by a Commission decision....
• Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed merger between Essilor and Luxottica
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 26 September 2017 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed merger between Essilor and Luxottica under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission has concerns that the merger may reduce competition for ophthalmic lenses, and will further investigate effects on......
• State aid: Commission approves alternative to divestment commitment for Royal Bank of Scotland
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 September 2017 The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules the alternative package proposed by the UK authorities to replace the commitment for Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to divest Williams & Glyn....
• Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 22 August 2017 The Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission has concerns that the merger may reduce competition in areas such as pesticides, seeds and traits....
• Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Banco Popular Español S.A. by Banco Santander
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 8 August 2017 The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, Banco Santander's proposed acquisition of Banco Popular Español, S.A. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not raise competition concerns in the European Economic Area....
• State aid: Commission approves public support to Frankfurt-Hahn airport
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 31 July 2017 The European Commission has found public support by the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate to Frankfurt-Hahn airport in Germany to be in line with EU state aid rules. The support ensures the airport can continue to serve the area's transport needs until private......
• State aid: Commission requires Belgium and France to put an end to tax exemptions for ports
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 27 July 2017 The European Commission has required Belgium and France to abolish the corporate tax exemptions granted to their ports, so as to align their tax regime with EU state aid rules....
• Mergers: Commission conditionally clears both FMC's acquisition of parts of DuPont's crop protection business and DuPont's acquisition of FMC's Health and Nutrition business
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 27 July 2017 The European Commission has conditionally approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, FMC's proposed acquisition of parts of DuPont's crop protection business and DuPont's acquisition of FMC's Health and Nutrition business. Both transactions are related to the Dow/DuPont merger divestment commitments....
• State aid: Statement on agreement in principle between Commissioner Vestager and UK Government on Royal Bank of Scotland commitment
  European Commission - Statement Brussels, 26 July 2017 Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has reached an agreement in principle with the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, on the design of the alternative package proposed by the UK authorities for Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)....
• Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections in the ethylene purchasing sector
  European Commission - Fact Sheet Brussels, 26 July 2017 The European Commission can confirm that on 16 May 2017 its officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in ethylene purchasing, in several Member States....
• Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Knorr-Bremse's proposed takeover of competing brakes manufacturer Haldex
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 24 July 2017 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed takeover of Haldex by Knorr-Bremse under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission has concerns that the deal may reduce competition for brake systems and related components for commercial vehicles......
• Statement by Commissioner Vestager on changes made by Cyprus to national legislation on tax treatment of financing companies
  European Commission - Statement Brussels, 21 July 2017 Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: I welcome that the Cypriot authorities have introduced changes to their national legislation to make it more stringent as regards the tax treatment of financing companies....
• State aid: Commission approves restructuring plan for Vestjysk Bank A/S
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 18 July 2017 The European Commission has today approved a restructuring plan for Danish Vestjysk Bank that will ensure the bank's long-term viability without any new aid. It has also given final approval to past aid, which was granted and temporarily approved by the......
• Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Teva on 'pay for delay' pharma agreement
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 17 July 2017 The European Commission has informed pharmaceutical company Teva of its preliminary view that an agreement concluded with Cephalon was in breach of EU antitrust rules....
• Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Momondo by Priceline
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 17 July 2017 The European Commission has approved unconditionally under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Momondo Group by Priceline Group, both active in the online travel sector....
• State aid: Commission confirms no aid in Belgian public guarantee for nuclear risks
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 14 July 2017 The European Commission has concluded that the Belgian state guarantee for nuclear operators that do not find sufficient civil liability coverage on private insurance markets does not involve state aid....
• State aid: Commission approves Slovakia's investment aid to paper manufacturer Mondi SCP
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 13 July 2017 The European Commission has found Slovakia's €49 million investment aid to Mondi SCP, a paper and pulp manufacturer, to be in line with EU state aid rules. The support will contribute to the development of the region, whilst preserving competition in......
• Wednesday 13 July: The Commission adopts its monthly infringements package
  European Commission - Upcoming events The news: On Thursday 13 July 2017, the European Commission will adopt its monthly infringements package. These decisions seek to enforce EU law across Europe so that citizens and businesses can benefit fully from the internal market....
• State aid: Commission approves Danish scheme to promote rail transport interoperability
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 11 July 2017 The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a Danish scheme to support rail freight operators' investment in new on-board traffic management equipment....
• Statement by Commissioner Vestager on three Statements of Objections sent to Merck and Sigma-Aldrich, to General Electric, and to Canon for breaching EU merger procedural rules
  European Commission - Statement Brussels, 6 July 2017 Today, the Commission has sent Statements of Objections in three separate cases to Merck and Sigma-Aldrich, to General Electric and to Canon. We suspect that those companies may not have met their procedural obligations when they notified mergers to us......
• Mergers: Commission alleges Merck and Sigma-Aldrich, General Electric, and Canon breached EU merger procedural rules
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 6 July 2017 Mergers: Commission alleges Merck and Sigma-Aldrich, General Electric, and Canon breached EU merger procedural rules The Commission has sent three separate Statements of Objections to Merck and Sigma-Aldrich, General Electric and Canon alleging they breached EU merger rules: General Electric, and......
• Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Opel by Peugeot
  European Commission - Press release Brussels, 5 July 2017 The European Commission has unconditionally approved the acquisition of Opel by Peugeot, under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the relevant markets. Peugeot S.A....