20 years that made a difference 🎉

Yesterday, senior associate Laura Sente attended the conference organised by EU Competition Policy (DG COMP) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the EU Merger Regulation 139/2004 and to reflect on the impact of EU merger control over the last two decades. The day was filled with interesting keynote speeches and inspiring panels.

Here are Laura’s key take aways from the event:

• AG Kokott expressed her view that following the Towercast judgement ex post control of transactions under Article 102 TFEU should remain the absolute exception.

• Everyone is eagerly awaiting the Court of Justice’s judgement in the Illumina/Grail case on Article 22 referrals. Following the Commission’s renewed approach to Article 22, numerous so-called referral letters have been sent out by the Commission.

• Be careful when preparing internal documents. You better think twice when describing your company as a European champion post-merger.

• Market knowledge is key, especially in innovation driven and digital markets.

• Effective merger control fosters competitiveness and should not be seen as a piranha! 🐟

We look forward to see how EU merger control will evolve for the next 20 years!

Did you also attend the event? Do share your key take aways in the comments below 👇

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