Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 13 JUNE 2013

Hot Topics In EU Competition Law And Enforcement

Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Contributor
Steptoe LLP

Steptoe LLP

Steptoe International (UK) LLP has built a strong reputation for providing top-quality regulatory,...

View firm profile
Explore more from Steptoe LLP

The French petroleum company, entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice and agreed to pay a monetary penalty of $245.2 million to settle charges that it violated the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with approximately $60 million in payments made through intermediaries to an Iranian government official to improperly obtain rights to petroleum concessions in Iran.

European UnionAntitrust/Competition Law
Yves Botteman
Yves Botteman
Kenneth Ewing
Kenneth Ewing

We are pleased to send you a snapshot of our most recent publications addressing hot topics in EU Competition law.

Cartel Enforcement

In the area of EU cartel enforcement, issues of interest include:

Merger Control

Regarding the proposed revision of merger procedures in the EU, the European Commission will soon launch a public consultation on a proposal to expand the scope of the EU Merger Regulation to acquisitions of non-controlling minority participations in competitors. Steptoe closely monitors and will report on this important topic in the coming weeks.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Booking Holdings v. Commission: General Court Clears The Way For Reverse Leveraging

The General Court of the European Union has upheld the European Commission's prohibition of Booking Holdings' acquisition of eTraveli Group, endorsing for the first time a 'reverse leveraging' theory of harm in conglomerate mergers. This landmark judgment establishes that dominant companies can be blocked from acquiring complementary businesses even when the target operates in a market where the acquirer lacks dominance, fundamentally reshaping merger control enforcement in digital and ecosystem-driven mark
United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Article

KKR Agrees To Historic $250 Million Penalty For Alleged Violations Of HSR...

The Department of Justice announced a landmark $250 million settlement with KKR & Co. for allegedly submitting deficient Hart-Scott-Rodino Act notification forms across at least 16 transactions. This unprecedented penalty, the largest ever for HSR violations, raises critical questions about merger notification compliance obligations and the consequences of systemic noncompliance with federal antitrust review requirements.
United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
Bracewell LLP
Bracewell LLP
Article

Recent Significant Federal Merger Enforcement Developments

The Justice Department has resumed targeted Second Request investigations to expedite merger reviews, while major entertainment industry consolidation faces legal challenges and the FTC secures record penalties for Hart-Scott-Rodino Act violations. These developments signal a shifting landscape in federal merger enforcement, balancing efficiency with rigorous antitrust scrutiny across multiple industries.
United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
Wiggin and Dana LLP
Wiggin and Dana LLP
Article

DOJ Merger Investigation Closure Credits AI Competition And Highlights Targeted Second Request Reviews

The U.S. Department of Justice recently closed its investigation into a merger between two leading sales enablement software providers, citing AI competition as a key protective factor against potential competitive harm. This decision offers important insights into how antitrust agencies are evaluating AI-native companies as competitive constraints and implementing more efficient, targeted merger review processes in technology sector transactions.
United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman
Article

FCC Tightens Equipment Rules

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted sweeping new restrictions targeting equipment containing components from entities on its Covered List, fundamentally reshaping how manufacturers, online marketplaces, and equipment modifiers must approach FCC compliance. These rules establish unprecedented prohibitions on logic-bearing hardware components, impose strict display requirements for e-commerce platforms, and clarify when existing authorizations can support equipment modifications.
United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

Weekly Sanctions Update: September 14, 2026

The Treasury Department intensifies economic pressure on Iran through Operation Economic Outcast, suspending aviation licenses and sanctioning dozens of entities while implementing a presumption of denial for Iran-related transactions. Meanwhile, new enforcement actions target Chinese cybercrime platforms, Ecuadorian terrorist organizations, and Israeli settlers, as Congress considers comprehensive Russia-Iran sanctions legislation.
GlobalGovernment, Public Sector
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

Weekly Sanctions Update: September 21, 2026

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 has become law, imposing sweeping sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and shadow fleet vessels while authorizing tariffs up to 100 percent on major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas. How will these new measures impact global trade relationships, particularly with China and India as the largest buyers of Russian crude?
GlobalGovernment, Public Sector
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

Executive Order 14421: National Emergency Declaration Imposes New Restrictions On Foreign Bulk-Power System Equipment

President Trump's Executive Order 14421 declares a national emergency to secure the U.S. bulk-power system, imposing new restrictions on foreign-produced electric equipment that poses national security risks. The order prohibits certain imports and installations while directing the Department of Energy to identify and potentially replace existing vulnerable equipment already on the grid.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

FCC Leads Expanding Federal Restrictions On Foreign Drones

The federal government has implemented a comprehensive regulatory framework targeting foreign drone manufacturers' access to the US market through FCC equipment restrictions, tariffs, and procurement limitations. While existing approvals may no longer guarantee market access, the FCC's conditional approval process offers manufacturers a pathway to continue operations by submitting detailed onshoring plans for review by the Department of War or Department of Homeland Security.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP