On Monday 27 November, the European Commission announced that it had informed the online marketplace Amazon (United States) of its objections. This statement of objections is part of an in-depth investigation launched by the Commission on 6 July (see EUROPE 13218/15) intoAmazon’ s plan to acquire the US robot vacuum cleaner manufacturer iRobot.
The Commission’s preliminary view is that the proposed acquisition of iRobot is likely to restrict competition on the market for robot vacuum cleaners. This could lead to less choice and higher prices for consumers.
The Commission’s preliminary view is that Amazon may be able to squeeze out iRobot’s competitors, for example by preventing them from selling robot vacuum cleaners on its online marketplace.
Amazon could also have the ability or economic incentive to impede competitors’ access to this marketplace.
This possibility is especially worrying for the European Commission, which points out that Amazon’s online marketplace is a significant sales channel for robot vacuum cleaners in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
In addition, the European Commission considers that the merged entity could benefit from the data collected from iRobot users.
Amazon now has the opportunity to respond to the Commission, consult the file and request a hearing with the Commission’s departments.
The Commission should present it final decision on the merger before 14 February 2024. (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)