Brussels, 14/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 13 February, the Commission launched public consultation on draft merger guidelines for companies in a vertical or conglomerate relationship (also known as “non-horizontal”). Parties concerned are invited to make their comments known by 12 May this year. Following the consultations, the definitive version of the guidelines will be adopted by the Commission. The guidelines will then serve to provide guidance to companies envisaging such types of merger. The non-horizontal mergers will include vertical concentrations such as the acquisition of a supplier by its client (as, for example, a furniture manufacturer buying up a wood supplier), and conglomerate mergers, which concern companies whose activities are complementary or otherwise related (for example, a company producing razors buying a company producing shaving foam).
The draft guidelines can be consulted on the European Commission's internet site at the following address: http: //ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/consultations/open.html. (cd)