Brussels, 16/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 15 October, the European Commission announced that its Directorate General for Competition and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce had adopted a framework of best practices regarding cooperation on reviewing mergers.
This practical guidance document, which was signed in Beijing, establishes a specific framework designed to reinforce cooperation and coordination between the two sides to increase the effectiveness of investigations and reduce the burden on the parties to a merger, particularly if the authorities are able to exchange information and discuss their respective timetables at key stages of investigations. The guidance will facilitate communication throughout the entire merger review procedure on issues of procedure and substance, including the definition of relevant markets, theories of harm, competitive impact assessments and remedies. (Original version in French by Élodie Lamer)