Competition/antitrust

Recent Articles

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  06/09/2024

  Belgium

  Boosting whistleblower protections: The Belgian Competition Authority's new steps against market misconduct

  FR

  On 21 August 2024, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) announced measures to bolster the protection of whistleblowers that report infringements of competition law. This initiative aligns with the Belgian Whistleblower Act of 28 November 2022, which governs whistleblower protections in the private sector. Following a royal decree on 22 January 2023, the BCA was designated as the competent authority authorized to receive reports of breaches of national and European competition rules.The BCA has formalized its cooperation with the federal Ombudsman through a Collaboration Protocol, which outlines...

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  22/08/2024

  Belgium

  Application of Belgian merger control on creation of innovation hub

  NL FR

  On 12 August 2024, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the acquisition of joint control over Community Building Arenberg BV by four key players – Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen, Flanders Make, the city of Leuven and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.The project’s aim is to develop a 17,500 m² community building within Arenberg Science Park located in Leuven. Community Building Arenberg BV will build and manage a new innovation hub that will provide office spaces for rent, primarily targeting high-tech companies seeking to establish themselves in Leuven. It will also...

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  14/08/2024

  China

  Draft anti-monopoly guidelines in the pharma sector released by China SAMR

  On 9 August 2024, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released a draft of the Antimonopoly Guidelines in the Field of Pharmaceuticals for public comments. These Guidelines are designed to provide clearer guidance on antitrust enforcement and compliance for operators across the entire pharmaceutical industry.Key elements of the Guidelines1. Expanded scope of applicationThe Guidelines expand and refine the scope of antitrust regulation within the pharmaceutical sector, building on the Anti-monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China (AML) and the previously issued Antitrust...

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  06/08/2024

  Hungary

  EU Commission finetunes the Foreign Subsidies Regulation: insights into the latest Guidance

  On 26 July 2024, the European Commission released a staff working document that clarifies the Commission’s substantive test under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). This document serves as a valuable supplementary resource to FSR case-law and provides insight into how the Commission will conduct FSR assessments. Although this document is not binding, it may also prove highly beneficial for companies in evaluating and managing FSR risks.What are FSR procedures?The preamble to the FSR states that existing EU instruments do not address distortions caused by foreign aid, prompting the Commission...

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  31/07/2024

  Saudi Arabia

  Explore Investment in Saudi Arabia: Competition Law

  Introduction  As part of our Explore Investment in Saudi Arabia series, in this article we focus on the Competition Law (issued by Royal Decree No. M/75 on 6 March 2019) (the “Competition Law”) and share insights that we have gained from assisting our clients with Competition Law related queries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“KSA”).Purpose of the Competition LawThe Competition Law aims to protect and encourage fair competition, and to combat and prevent monopolistic practices that affect lawful competition or consumer interest, thereby improving the market environment...

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  30/07/2024

  Bulgaria

  No-poach agreements in Bulgaria: spotlight on the EU Commission's new restrictive approach

  In the beginning of May 2024, the European Commission issued a policy brief on "Antitrust in Labour Markets". The Commission set out a new approach to wage-fixing and no-poach agreements, stating that they are likely to infringe Article 101 TFEU by object.BackgroundThe Commission has outlined its view that in recent years, labour market agreements have become a priority not only for itself, but for various other competition authorities worldwide and in the EU. To this extent, it states that the policy brief should serve as an outline albeit the lack of a specific decision adopted by itself...

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