Brussels, 16/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to refer the examination of the impact of Leroy Merlin's acquisition of Brico DIY stores on their markets to the competition authorities in France, Spain and Portugal on the grounds found that the deal did not raise competition concerns in the rest of the European Union and that the three national authorities concerned were best placed to assess its impact on the distribution of DIY items in their countries. Merlin's plan to acquire control of Brico France, Brico Spain and Brico Portugal (known as "Obi" and "Aki"). The acquisition of Brico by Leroy Merlin will have an impact only on the French, Spanish and Portuguese markets. Brico is known in France under the name "Obi" and in Spain and Portugal, "Aki". In France, the new group would be the market leader in the sale of DIY products by large specialised stores, ahead of Castorama. In Spain, Brico and Leroy Merlin together account for almost all sales of DIY products by large specialised stores. Leroy Merlin does not yet operate in Portugal, but it has received authorisation to open stores from the relevant public authorities. Brico is the leading distributor of DIY in the country.