A new shorter and simpler merger control procedure has been introduced that can be completed within 20 days.
The simplified procedure applies when:
- one business acquires exclusive control of another business which it already controls jointly with another business,
- there is a merger between businesses that jointly have less than a 15% share of the relevant market and individually have less than a 25% share of the relevant vertical markets (or are not both active in the same market or vertical markets)
The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition could still decide to apply the ordinary merger control procedure due to the merger’s complexity or potential impact on competition.
The 20-day period runs from the day the OPC receives a complete filing. Approval can be presumed if the OPC does not decide within the 20-day period.
A very limited number of documents and information need to be filed with the simplified merger clearance application. However, if the OPC requests further information, the 20-day period does not start until that information is filed.
Law: amendment to the Act on Protection of Competition
