On 5 April 2023, the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection published the government draft of the 11th amendment to the Act against Restraints of Competition. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck described the amendment as “one of the biggest reforms of competition law in recent decades”, which – in the words of Federal Minister of Justice Dr. Marco Buschmann – is intended to give the German Federal Cartel Office more “teeth”
On 22 March 2023, the Belgian Competition Authority published a press release according to which it investigates whether Proximus had abused a dominant position by acquiring edpnet. Although the acquisition did not have to be notified, the BCA feels compelled, with reference to the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) landmark Towercast judgment, to review the transaction under abuse of the aspect of dominance. The BCA is thus following up on recent considerations regarding more effective control of so-called “killer acquisitions”, i.e., the protection of competition against innovation-inhibiting mergers of large, strong companies with small, innovative competitors, which do not require merger control notification due to the low turnover of the target company.
On 21 September 2022, colleagues from the German Baker McKenzie offices will host a webinar exploring current developments in German and European Antitrust Law. The event will be in German only.
In this event, we will give you a comprehensive overview of the most important developments of the last year in German and European antitrust law. Please note that this event will be held in German only.
With global acknowledgement of the spiraling negative impact of carbon emissions on the planet, many countries are swiftly launching efficient, low-cost hydrogen-based solutions for the future mobility industry and have agreed to accelerate zero-emission vehicles at the recent COP26 conference. The goal is to have climate-friendly techniques on road vehicles, synthetic fuels and, for the aviation and maritime sectors, developing a hydrogen transport and distribution infrastructure, as well as expanding the network of hydrogen refueling stations.
Competition authorities around the world continue to sharpen their focus on markets for employee talent. The current push to scrutinize competition issues in labor markets can be traced to guidance issued in October 2016 by federal antitrust enforcers in the United States.