61 results 2022: the big reveal of 2021’s competition law promises 2021 was riddled with sneak previews of a “review of competition policy tools with unprecedented scope and ambition”. Triple-check merger info to prevent costly fines – or worse Companies should check their merger information for accuracy, truthfulness and completeness before handing it over to the European Commission. Duality on dual distribution resolved? Nothing is more fickle than information exchange: it changes colour under EU competition rules depending on the nature of the relationship between the exchanging companies. Second time lucky: Intel’s EUR 1.06 billion loyalty rebate fine quashed Intel’s second round at the General Court was significantly more successful than its first. In the first round, the General Court had failed to analyse whether the loyalty rebates at issue were capable of restricting competition. In the second round, afte Commission reveals first piece of antitrust sustainability puzzle The European Commission has published a Policy Brief setting out its preliminary views on how to fit the European Green Deal’s sustainability goals into the EU competition rules. Stibbe advises Goed A multidisciplinary Stibbe team advised Goed and its shareholders on its binding agreement with Mulitpharma relating to the sale of Goed’s pharmaceutical retail and wholesale business. Stibbe Amsterdam appoints three new partners We are pleased to announce that Stibbe Amsterdam has promoted Roos Elemans, Lotte Hover-Boon and Daisy Nijkamp to partner effective 1 January 2025. These appointments will further strengthen our EU and Competition Law, Tax and Litigation practices. To Prove or Presume? The EC’s Draft Guidelines on exclusionary abuses The Commission recently published its Draft Guidelines on Exclusionary Abuses of Dominance, which are meant to reflect the EU case law. However, they seem to deviate on important aspects, arguably simplifying the assessment for establishing an abuse. FDI screening guidance: shedding some light in the darkness The Dutch general investment screening regime came into effect in June 2023. Decisions are not yet publicly available. However, three guidance papers list the practical experience gained so far and help to assess whether a transaction is notifiable. European Commission to pull the strings of foreign subsidies The European Commission is adding powers to its toolbox to ensure a level playing field between European and foreign(-backed) companies active on the EU market. Spreading fast: Dutch and Belgian COVID-19 State-aid approved Many Member States are taking measures to support the economy during the COVID-19 crisis. The European Commission’s Temporary Framework enables the rapid approval of certain types of State aid. Stibbe advises care chain Goed Stibbe advised Goed, the network of pharmacies, home care shops and audiology shops of health insurance fund CM, on the sale of its hearing centres chain to Audika Belgium. Stibbe assists Goed Stibbe successfully assisted Goed on the sale of its pharmaceutical retail and wholesale business to Multipharma. Don't take the ACM's digital inspection guidelines too literally The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets' (ACM) digital inspection guidelines should be on every company's reading list. However, they should not be taken too literally; at least according to the recent ruling from the Court of Appeal in The Hague. A digital transition in the financial services sector On 24 September 2020, the European Commission (the “Commission”) adopted the Digital Finance Package (the “Package”). The aim of this initiative is to create a competitive EU financial sector that gives consumers access to innovative financial products. Dutch fintech Action Plan - stimulating growth in the Dutch fintech sector On 3 July 2020, the Dutch Minister of Finance and the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs published an action plan to support the Dutch Fintech sector. European Banking Federation Guidance on testing of Cloud Exit Strategy Financial institutions may outsource critical or important functions to cloud service providers (“CSPs”). On 25 February 2019 the European Banking Authority (“EBA”) provided guidelines (the “EBA Guidelines”) laying out the framework for outsourcing arrang National Forum on the Payment System Publishes Guidance about Account Information Services The Dutch National Forum on the Payment System (Maatschappelijk overleg betalingsverkeer - “MOB”) has published guidance on the transparency requirements for account information services providers (“AISPs”), a specific payment service regulated under PSD2 Pagination Current page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Next page
2022: the big reveal of 2021’s competition law promises 2021 was riddled with sneak previews of a “review of competition policy tools with unprecedented scope and ambition”.
Triple-check merger info to prevent costly fines – or worse Companies should check their merger information for accuracy, truthfulness and completeness before handing it over to the European Commission.
Duality on dual distribution resolved? Nothing is more fickle than information exchange: it changes colour under EU competition rules depending on the nature of the relationship between the exchanging companies.
Second time lucky: Intel’s EUR 1.06 billion loyalty rebate fine quashed Intel’s second round at the General Court was significantly more successful than its first. In the first round, the General Court had failed to analyse whether the loyalty rebates at issue were capable of restricting competition. In the second round, afte
Commission reveals first piece of antitrust sustainability puzzle The European Commission has published a Policy Brief setting out its preliminary views on how to fit the European Green Deal’s sustainability goals into the EU competition rules.
Stibbe advises Goed A multidisciplinary Stibbe team advised Goed and its shareholders on its binding agreement with Mulitpharma relating to the sale of Goed’s pharmaceutical retail and wholesale business.
Stibbe Amsterdam appoints three new partners We are pleased to announce that Stibbe Amsterdam has promoted Roos Elemans, Lotte Hover-Boon and Daisy Nijkamp to partner effective 1 January 2025. These appointments will further strengthen our EU and Competition Law, Tax and Litigation practices.
To Prove or Presume? The EC’s Draft Guidelines on exclusionary abuses The Commission recently published its Draft Guidelines on Exclusionary Abuses of Dominance, which are meant to reflect the EU case law. However, they seem to deviate on important aspects, arguably simplifying the assessment for establishing an abuse.
FDI screening guidance: shedding some light in the darkness The Dutch general investment screening regime came into effect in June 2023. Decisions are not yet publicly available. However, three guidance papers list the practical experience gained so far and help to assess whether a transaction is notifiable.
European Commission to pull the strings of foreign subsidies The European Commission is adding powers to its toolbox to ensure a level playing field between European and foreign(-backed) companies active on the EU market.
Spreading fast: Dutch and Belgian COVID-19 State-aid approved Many Member States are taking measures to support the economy during the COVID-19 crisis. The European Commission’s Temporary Framework enables the rapid approval of certain types of State aid.
Stibbe advises care chain Goed Stibbe advised Goed, the network of pharmacies, home care shops and audiology shops of health insurance fund CM, on the sale of its hearing centres chain to Audika Belgium.
Stibbe assists Goed Stibbe successfully assisted Goed on the sale of its pharmaceutical retail and wholesale business to Multipharma.
Don't take the ACM's digital inspection guidelines too literally The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets' (ACM) digital inspection guidelines should be on every company's reading list. However, they should not be taken too literally; at least according to the recent ruling from the Court of Appeal in The Hague.
A digital transition in the financial services sector On 24 September 2020, the European Commission (the “Commission”) adopted the Digital Finance Package (the “Package”). The aim of this initiative is to create a competitive EU financial sector that gives consumers access to innovative financial products.
Dutch fintech Action Plan - stimulating growth in the Dutch fintech sector On 3 July 2020, the Dutch Minister of Finance and the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs published an action plan to support the Dutch Fintech sector.
European Banking Federation Guidance on testing of Cloud Exit Strategy Financial institutions may outsource critical or important functions to cloud service providers (“CSPs”). On 25 February 2019 the European Banking Authority (“EBA”) provided guidelines (the “EBA Guidelines”) laying out the framework for outsourcing arrang
National Forum on the Payment System Publishes Guidance about Account Information Services The Dutch National Forum on the Payment System (Maatschappelijk overleg betalingsverkeer - “MOB”) has published guidance on the transparency requirements for account information services providers (“AISPs”), a specific payment service regulated under PSD2