The competition watchdog has opened a public consultation on its proposed adoption of new guidelines for analysing company mergers.

The current guidelines used by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) date from 2014.

They set out the CCPC’s analytical framework and approach to conducting merger analysis, and cover each of the areas the commission may look at in order to establish whether or not a merger will lead to a substantial lessening of competition.

Lessons

Úna Butler (CCPC member) said that the watchdog had learned lessons and developed its practice over the ten years of the current guidelines.

“International practice for merger analysis has seen significant change to take account of new markets and developments. A review of the guidelines is timely and necessary,” she stated.

The consultation will cover areas such as the ‘substantial lessening of competition’ test, market definition, and the assessment of the competitive effects of a merger.

The consultation will run from Tuesday 1 October until close of business on Tuesday 29 October. Submissions should be made via email to consultations@ccpc.ie.