This update concerns two significant and inter-related
steps recently taken by the Israeli Antitrust Commissioner intended
to reduce the regulatory burden and allow parties to move forward
towards a regime based on self-assessment rather than regulatory
permits.
The first is the amendment of two block
exemptions – Restrictive Trade Practices Rules (block
exemption for Joint Ventures) (Temporary Order), 2006; and
Restrictive Trade Practices Rules (Block Exemption for ancillary
restraints in mergers), 2009. The amendment enables parties to
benefit from these block exemptions even if they do not meet strict
criteria of market share, number of competitors and the like, if
the parties can indicate that the agreement does not harm
competition and that restrictions are necessary and have legitimate
economic basis..
