In the News
Ofwat accepts commitments from Severn Trent plc in abuse of dominance case
Following consultation, Ofwat has confirmed that it has accepted binding commitments from Severn Trent plc to divest Severn Trent Laboratories. This is the first time Ofwat has accepted commitments under the Competition Act 1998. The commitments were offered to address concerns raised by Ofwat, following a complaint under the Competition Act by ALcontrol UK Ltd, which alleged that Severn Trent Laboratories had been able to win contracts for water analysis services by pricing below cost as a result of its structural links with Severn Trent Water. Having taken account of the representations received, Ofwat has concluded that Severn Trent commitments fully address its competition concerns and, as a result, the investigation is now closed. Click here.
OFT opens abuse of dominance investigation in relation to GB Oils
The OFT has launched a formal investigation into the distribution of road fuels in the Western Isles of Scotland by GB Oils. The investigation is under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 and relates to a suspected exclusionary abuse of a dominant position in the relevant market. The subject matter of the investigation concerns the contractual arrangements for wholesale supply of road fuels in the Western Isles offered by GB Oils and the rebates and other payments paid to filling station customers. Click here.
EU
Articles 101 and 102
- The ECJ has dismissed an appeal by the European Commission against the General Court's ruling in relation to the copper fittings cartel decision that partially upheld an appeal by Tomkins. Click here.
UK
Competition Appeal Tribunal
- Akzo Nobel has appealed to the CAT the Competition Commission's prohibition of its acquisition of Metlac. Click here.
Competition Commission
- The Competition Commission has approved the sale of Stansted Airport by Heathrow Airport Holdings (formerly BAA) to Manchester Airports Group. The sale marks the completion of the three airport disposals which the Commission ordered in its report into BAA's ownership of seven UK airports in 2009. Click here.
Office of Fair Trading
- The OFT is reviewing undertakings that were accepted by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry following an investigation by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (now the Competition Commission) in 1999 into the merger between IMS Health Inc and Pharmaceutical Marketing Services Inc. Click here.
- The OFT has accepted undertakings from Rexel UK Limited to sell seven electrical wholesaling branches to remedy competition concerns raised by its completed acquisition of Wilts Wholesale Electrical Company Limited. Click here.
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