In 2024, of the 398 decisions approving mergers, 351 cases were subject to a simplified procedure, eight acquisitions were approved subject to commitments and none were prohibited, notes the European Commission in its annual report on competition, published on Friday 25 April.
In the area of digital services, the EU institution considers that it has made “significant progress” in applying the ‘DMA’ regulation (2022/1925). In particular, formal investigations were opened into non-compliance with European rules by Alphabet, Apple and Meta (see EUROPE 13378/8). These investigations recently led the Commission to impose fines of €500 million on Apple and €200 million on Meta (see EUROPE 13626/2).
Also designated as ‘gatekeepers’ were Apple for its iPadOS operating system used in iPads (see EUROPE 13401/4), and Booking for its Booking.com platform (see EUROPE 13524/12).
Foreign subsidies. In September 2024, the Commission issued its first decision under the regulation (2022/2560) to combat unfair foreign subsidies, approving the conditional takeover of the Dutch telecommunications company PPF by the Emirati operator e& (see EUROPE 13489/12).
The EU institution also carried out its first unannounced inspections at Nuctech’s Dutch and Polish premises, and launched a preliminary review in the field of wind energy.
In terms of case law, there have also been several significant rulings by the Court of Justice, including the judgment condemning Ireland for granting unlawful State aid to Apple by means of tax rulings (case C-465/20 P – see EUROPE 13479/1).
See the Commission’s annual report: https://aeur.eu/f/gje (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)