Bulgarian Watchdog Introduces Pre-notification Contacts In Merger Proceedings

As of 1 January 2021, Bulgaria's Commission for the Protection of Competition (the "CPC") will be available for pre-notification discussions. To this end, it has also published bylaws ("Rules") for such contacts (adopted by CPC decision 1005/10 December 2020).

Pre-notification contacts preferably should be initiated at least two weeks before the expected date of notification. The CPC recommends that during the pre-notification contacts the parties provide background information about the transaction, a brief description of the relevant sectors and markets involved, and the likely impact of the transaction on competition in general. The Rules also allow parties to submit a draft notification as a basis for further discussions with the CPC.