German, UK And Australian Competition Authorities Call For Rigorous Merger Enforcement

The German Federal Cartel Office, UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released a joint statement on merger control enforcement to businesses, advisers, courts and governments on 20 April 2021. The statement argues for rigorous and effective merger enforcement globally, explaining that consistent merger enforcement is the key to preserving competition and diversity for the benefit of the consumer – especially in a fast-developing digital world.

What are some of the key messages?

Merger control remains one of the most effective tools for competition authorities: Competition increases consumer trust in markets and drives the functioning of market economies and economic prosperity. Merger control prevents competition being impeded by market concentration and prevents anti-competitive situations from arising. "We see particularly strong market concentration in the digital economy. Further takeovers and