253 results European Commission adopts merger simplification package to reduce red tape The European Commission recently adopted a package to simplify its procedures for reviewing concentrations under the EU Merger regulation. Under the new rules, more cases can benefit from the simplified procedure. ECJ accepts carve-out Italy in Commissionâs Amazon Buy Box investigation The EU Court of Justice dismissed Amazonâs claim that the exclusion of Italy from the European Commissionâs investigation into its Buy Box feature deprived Amazon of its protection against a parallel investigation by the Italian competition authority. European Court of Justice plays hardball in Sports rulings The rulings by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the discretionary powers of international sports associations to authorise alternative competitions show that the specifics of sports are no reason to tread lightly when applying EU competition rules. Competition law in 2024: putting theory into practice 2023 marked the near finale of the European Commissionâs overhaul of its competition policy, leaving only a few loose ends to tie up in 2024/2025. It is now time to watch theory be put into practice by the competition authorities and at the courts. From Farm to Fairness: Unpacking the Dutch Unfair Trading Practices Act for the Agri-Food Supply Chain Since 2021, Dutch rules against unfair trading practices, which implemented an EU Directive, apply to business-to-business relationships in agri-food supply chains. Enforcement by the ACM, initially slow, is now intensifying. Preventing environmental damage through sustainable cooperation Following the ECâs Horizontal Guidelines, the ACM and CMA have also published updated guidance on sustainability agreements. The approaches adopted by the three authorities are largely similar, but leave room for divergent assessments in some respects. Dutch court confirms: Samsung's 'price recommendations' practices were unlawful The Rotterdam District Court has delivered its judgment in the ACM's first-ever vertical restraints case. It upholds the fine imposed on Samsung for coordinating its retailers' online consumer prices under the pretence of 'price recommendations'. Cross-border representative actions: publication of requirements for Dutch organisations seeking designation as âqualified entitiesâ By 26 December 2023 at the latest, EU Member States must publish a list of organisations that they have designated as âqualified entitiesâ (bevoegde instanties) for bringing cross-border representative actions within the EU on behalf of consumers. 2022: the big reveal of 2021âs competition law promises 2021 was riddled with sneak previews of a âreview of competition policy tools with unprecedented scope and ambitionâ. Google Shopping: self-preferencing is a form of abuse of dominance On 10 November 2021, the General Court (GC) almost entirely dismissed Googleâs action against the European Commissionâs Google Shopping decision. Europese Commissie herziet en verruimt een belangrijk staatssteunkader: consultatie wijzigingen AGVV geopend tot 8 december 2021 De Europese Commissie zet in op meer staatssteun voor innovatieve ondernemingen en duurzaamheid. Dit blijkt uit de voorgestelde wijziging van de Algemene groepsvrijstellingsverordening waarover tot 8 december a.s. een consultatie loopt. Upward referral of killer acquisitions: enlightened or one-stop shop flop? Companies involved in M&A deals falling below the EU and national notification thresholds need to think twice about their dealâs potential impact on competition from now on. Abuse of economic dependence: lessons drawn from the first judgments On 22 August 2020, the ban on abuse of economic dependence was implemented in Belgium. Now that almost a year has passed and the first judgments have been rendered, we assess what first lessons can be drawn from these judgments. Ratification of European Climate Law and unveiling of the âFit for 55â climate package Recent developments gave rise to write this update: the European Parliament has ratified the Climate Law and confirmed the goal of the European Union on climate neutrality by 2050. Bekrachtiging Europese Klimaatwet en onthulling klimaatpakket âFit for 55â Met de bekrachtiging van de Europese Klimaatwet door het Europees Parlement en de introductie van het klimaatpakket 'Fit for 55', wordt het duidelijker hoe de weg naar een klimaatneutraal Europa er uit gaat zien. Stibbe advises Novy Stibbe assisted the shareholders of Novy with the sale of their shares to the American group Middleby. Highest Dutch Court: ACM has not proved dominance of Dutch railway operator NS A high market share is not always proof of a dominant position. The Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) upheld the annulment of the ACMâs fine of nearly EUR 41 million on Dutch railway operator NS for alleged abuse of dominance. Triple-check merger info to prevent costly fines â or worse Companies should check their merger information for accuracy, truthfulness and completeness before handing it over to the European Commission. Pagination Previous page Page 2 Current page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Next page
European Commission adopts merger simplification package to reduce red tape The European Commission recently adopted a package to simplify its procedures for reviewing concentrations under the EU Merger regulation. Under the new rules, more cases can benefit from the simplified procedure.
ECJ accepts carve-out Italy in Commissionâs Amazon Buy Box investigation The EU Court of Justice dismissed Amazonâs claim that the exclusion of Italy from the European Commissionâs investigation into its Buy Box feature deprived Amazon of its protection against a parallel investigation by the Italian competition authority.
European Court of Justice plays hardball in Sports rulings The rulings by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the discretionary powers of international sports associations to authorise alternative competitions show that the specifics of sports are no reason to tread lightly when applying EU competition rules.
Competition law in 2024: putting theory into practice 2023 marked the near finale of the European Commissionâs overhaul of its competition policy, leaving only a few loose ends to tie up in 2024/2025. It is now time to watch theory be put into practice by the competition authorities and at the courts.
From Farm to Fairness: Unpacking the Dutch Unfair Trading Practices Act for the Agri-Food Supply Chain Since 2021, Dutch rules against unfair trading practices, which implemented an EU Directive, apply to business-to-business relationships in agri-food supply chains. Enforcement by the ACM, initially slow, is now intensifying.
Preventing environmental damage through sustainable cooperation Following the ECâs Horizontal Guidelines, the ACM and CMA have also published updated guidance on sustainability agreements. The approaches adopted by the three authorities are largely similar, but leave room for divergent assessments in some respects.
Dutch court confirms: Samsung's 'price recommendations' practices were unlawful The Rotterdam District Court has delivered its judgment in the ACM's first-ever vertical restraints case. It upholds the fine imposed on Samsung for coordinating its retailers' online consumer prices under the pretence of 'price recommendations'.
Cross-border representative actions: publication of requirements for Dutch organisations seeking designation as âqualified entitiesâ By 26 December 2023 at the latest, EU Member States must publish a list of organisations that they have designated as âqualified entitiesâ (bevoegde instanties) for bringing cross-border representative actions within the EU on behalf of consumers.
2022: the big reveal of 2021âs competition law promises 2021 was riddled with sneak previews of a âreview of competition policy tools with unprecedented scope and ambitionâ.
Google Shopping: self-preferencing is a form of abuse of dominance On 10 November 2021, the General Court (GC) almost entirely dismissed Googleâs action against the European Commissionâs Google Shopping decision.
Europese Commissie herziet en verruimt een belangrijk staatssteunkader: consultatie wijzigingen AGVV geopend tot 8 december 2021 De Europese Commissie zet in op meer staatssteun voor innovatieve ondernemingen en duurzaamheid. Dit blijkt uit de voorgestelde wijziging van de Algemene groepsvrijstellingsverordening waarover tot 8 december a.s. een consultatie loopt.
Upward referral of killer acquisitions: enlightened or one-stop shop flop? Companies involved in M&A deals falling below the EU and national notification thresholds need to think twice about their dealâs potential impact on competition from now on.
Abuse of economic dependence: lessons drawn from the first judgments On 22 August 2020, the ban on abuse of economic dependence was implemented in Belgium. Now that almost a year has passed and the first judgments have been rendered, we assess what first lessons can be drawn from these judgments.
Ratification of European Climate Law and unveiling of the âFit for 55â climate package Recent developments gave rise to write this update: the European Parliament has ratified the Climate Law and confirmed the goal of the European Union on climate neutrality by 2050.Â
Bekrachtiging Europese Klimaatwet en onthulling klimaatpakket âFit for 55â Met de bekrachtiging van de Europese Klimaatwet door het Europees Parlement en de introductie van het klimaatpakket 'Fit for 55', wordt het duidelijker hoe de weg naar een klimaatneutraal Europa er uit gaat zien.Â
Stibbe advises Novy Stibbe assisted the shareholders of Novy with the sale of their shares to the American group Middleby.
Highest Dutch Court: ACM has not proved dominance of Dutch railway operator NS A high market share is not always proof of a dominant position. The Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) upheld the annulment of the ACMâs fine of nearly EUR 41 million on Dutch railway operator NS for alleged abuse of dominance.
Triple-check merger info to prevent costly fines â or worse Companies should check their merger information for accuracy, truthfulness and completeness before handing it over to the European Commission.