The Legal 500

ACQUIRING REGULATED BUSINESSES: MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS AND COMPETITION LAW PERSPECTIVES

Contents
1. Transaction and Merger Control 4
1.1 Initiation of Merger Control Clearance 4
1.1.1 At what point in time will merger control proceedings actually be started? 4
1.1.2 Which party is typically in charge of the filing? 5
1.1.3 Can this be achieved while still maintaining confidentiality? 6

NEW RULES ALLOW PORTUGUESE COMPANIES TO BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE - . - SAME-GENDER MARRIAGE  - . - AMENDMENT TO THE SYSTEM OF MEDICINE PARTIALLY SUPPORTED BY THE STATE - . - EDP RENOVÁVEIS IS SET ON SOLAR ENERGY IN THE US - . - ABBOTT WITH HIGH INVESTMENTS IN INDIA - . - ANGOLA RECEIVES CLASSIFICATION BY INTERNATIONAL RATING AGENCIES - . - FCGUERREIRO LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a voluntary scheme which is designed to recognise and reward proactive companies and organisations that undertake to evaluate, manage and improve their environmental performance. When an organisation proves that its environmental performance has been improved according to previously set objectives, as verified by an independent body, it can begin using the EMAS logo. The logo is not only proof that the organisation has set up a strict programme of environmental performance improvement, but also that it respects existing environmental legislation and that its employees play an important role in the process.

The European Commission has launched on July 28 a public consultation on the proposal for a revised Block Exemption Regulation and Guidelines on Vertical Restraints (supply and distribution agreements). The Commission thus chooses to renew the rules in force since January 2000, putting to rest the doubts regarding the future of this Regulation, which expires on the May 31, 2010.