Substantial Lessening of Competition meaning

CCPC outlines competition concerns in preliminary assessment of Circle K/Pelco deal. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued a preliminary assessment to the parties involved in the planned purchase of Pelco Holdings Ltd by Ard Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Circle K Ireland Holding Ltd (M/24/042). The assessment outlines the CCPC’s preliminary concerns regarding how the proposed acquisition might reduce competition in the retail motor fuel sector overall. As this is only a preliminary assessment, and not a final decision, the parties may now also formally reply in writing, deliver oral submissions, and further get...

Mergers CMA unconditionally clears Arçelik/Whirlpool EMEA merger after phase 2 The CMA has published the final report of its phase 2 review of the planned joint venture between Arçelik A.Ş. (through Ardutch B.V.) and Whirlpool Corporation (through Whirlpool EMEA Holdings LLC). Both are among the largest suppliers of major domestic appliances (MDAs) in the UK, including washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and cooking appliances. Arçelik offers MDAs under the Beko, Blomberg and Grundig names, while Whirlpool sells MDAs under the Indesit and Hotpoint labels. The CMA has upheld its provisional view that the deal is not expected to lead to a substantial lessening of competition in respect of the supply of MDA products in the UK...

Mergers CMA issues interim report in Boparan/ForFarmers merger phase 2 investigation; provisionally finds no competition concerns The CMA has published its interim report and interim notice on the anticipated purchase by Boparan Private Office Limited (through 2 Agriculture Limited) (together, Boparan) of ForFarmers UK Limited’s Burston and Radstock feed mills (ForFarmers). ForFarmers is a European manufacturer and supplier of animal feed, headquartered in the Netherlands. 2Agriculture, a Boparan subsidiary, is among the UK’s largest suppliers of poultry feed by volume produced and channels its output to Hook 2 Sisters, a company affiliated with Boparan, as well as farmers on the open market. At phase 1 of its review, the CMA concluded there is a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) arising from: a loss of rivalry in the supply of meat poultry feed to third‑party customers in several local areas; and vertical effects in the downstream supply of poultry meat, as the deal could result in foreclosure of poultry meat producers (including...

1. Have there been any recent developments regarding the regime and are any updates/developments expected in the coming year? Are there any other ‘hot’ merger control issues in the Philippines? Notification thresholds From 1 March 2026, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) increased the compulsory merger notification thresholds in the Philippines to PHP 9.1bn for the turnover threshold and to PHP 3.8bn for the size of transaction threshold, up from PHP 8.5bn and PHP 3.5bn, respectively. Further details on these thresholds are set out in Question 4 below. Guidelines on Merger Remedies On 9 May 2024, the PCC adopted the Guidelines on Merger Remedies (Guidelines), which outline the PCC’s approach to assessing remedies for mergers and acquisitions that, during review, are considered likely to lead to a substantial prevention, restriction, or lessening of competition (SLC) in defined relevant markets. The Guidelines cover the design, choice, and implementation of merger remedies. Under the Guidelines, parties may submit proposed remedies for the PCC’s consideration at any stage of the...

UK competition law UK competition law polices anti-competitive behaviour, oversees merger control and promotes competitive markets. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the principal UK competition authority. Created by the merger of the OFT and the Competition Commission, it took over enforcing competition law in the UK on 1 April 2014. The CMA, together with other concurrent competition authorities, has powers to: enforce prohibitions on anti-competitive agreements and on abuse of a dominant position (see further, Chapter I prohibition and Chapter II prohibition) bring criminal prosecutions against individuals responsible for implementing hardcore cartels (see further, The UK criminal cartel offence) seek director disqualification orders against directors involved in competition law breaches (see further, Director disqualification) investigate UK mergers and block them or require remedies where they would result in a substantial lessening of competition (see further, UK merger control—overview) open investigations into industries to ensure markets remain competitive and impose remedies where there is an adverse effect on competition (see...

CASE HUB ARCHIVED This archived case hub sets out the position as at the decision date of 31 October 2017; it is not updated. For more, see the timeline. Case facts UK merger probe into the completed purchase by Euro Car Parts Limited of assets from the Andrew Page business, involving horizontal overlaps in markets supplying car parts to independent garages. Latest developments On 4 September 2018, the CMA issued its case closure summary, formally bringing the inquiry to a close. Parties Euro Car Parts Ltd (ECP) is the UK subsidiary of LKQ Corporation (LKQ). LKQ is a major supplier of alternative and speciality components to repair and accessorise automobiles and other vehicles, and it also designs, makes and supplies automotive glass to original equipment manufacturers. It operates in North America, Europe, China and Taiwan. The Andrew Page business (AP Business) consists of substantially all business assets from Andrew Page Limited, Solid Auto (UK) Limited and Colton Parts Company Limited, comprising 102...