Competition weekly news summary
12 June 2015


Antitrust

  • Commission opens formal investigation into Amazon's e-book distribution arrangements
    11 June 2015
    The Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into certain business practices of Amazon in the distribution of electronic books ("e-books"). The Commission will in particular investigate contract clauses that require publishers to inform Amazon about terms offered to Amazon’s competitors and to offer Amazon similar terms and conditions than they offer to its competitors. The Commission has concerns that such clauses may make it more difficult for other e-book distributors to compete with Amazon by developing new and innovative products and services. The Commission will investigate whether such clauses limit competition between different e-book distributors and reduce choice for consumers, in breach of EU antitrust rules.
    Read more >

Competition

  • EU Regulation capping interchange fees for card payments enters into force
    8 June 2015
    The EU Regulation capping interchange fees for payments using consumer debit and credit cards and improving competition for all card payments has entered into force on 8 June 2015. The Commission estimates that the rules could lead to a reduction of about €6 billion annually in hidden fees for consumer cards. The Regulation, which largely follows a Commission proposal from July 2013 will also give more freedom of choice to retailers, enhance transparency for card transactions, and pave the way for innovative payment technologies to be rolled out. The caps on interchange fees introduced by the regulation will apply as of 9 December 2015.
    Policy brief interchange fees Regulation >
  • Commission gives guidance on public versions of antitrust and merger decisions
    5 June 2015
    The Commission has published guidance on the preparation of non-confidential versions of Commission antitrust, cartel and merger decisions. The guidelines describe what kind of information companies can request to be redacted as business secrets and other confidential information. They also provide practical guidance on how such claims need to be submitted. Moreover, they explain which kind of information the Commission redacts on its own initiative and explain the procedure for settling confidentiality claims in this respect. The documents reflect the Commission's commitment to respect companies' legitimate interests in protecting genuinely confidential information, while fostering the public interest in making its decisions as transparent as possible.
    Antitrust guidance >
    Merger guidance >

Mergers

  • Commission clears acquisition of certain INEOS chlorovinyls businesses by ICIG and approves ICIG as buyer of divested assets linked to approval of INEOS / Solvay joint venture
    9 June 2015
    The Commission has approved the proposed acquisition of a package of chlorovinyls businesses belonging to the chemical group INEOS of Switzerland by International Chemical Investors Group ("ICIG") of Luxembourg. The companies' activities mainly overlap in the production of potassium dioxide, used for the manufacturing of de-icing liquids, soaps, biodiesel and fertilisers. The Commission concluded that the transaction would be pro-competitive, as it would transfer part of market leader INEOS' business to its competitor ICIG and make the market less concentrated. The target businesses include production facilities which INEOS committed to divest in order to obtain the Commission's clearance for the INOVYN joint venture between INEOS and Solvay of Belgium. In a separate decision adopted on the same day, the Commission has also approved ICIG as a suitable purchaser of these assets.
    Read more >
    More about Commission's INEOS / Solvay decision >

State aid

  • Commission approves creation of Latvian development institution to facilitate SME financing
    9 June 2015
    The Commission has concluded that Latvia's project to establish a financial institution (the Latvian Single Development Institution - SDI) is compatible with EU state aid rules. The SDI will facilitate access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and other players that face obstacles to raise financing in the market. The Commission found that the new institution would address such market failures without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.
    Read more >
  • Commission orders Estonia and Poland to deliver missing information on tax practices; requests tax rulings from 15 Member States
    8 June 2015
    The Commission has issued two injunctions ordering Estonia and Poland to deliver information requested by the Commission on their tax rulings practice. Both countries have to-date refused to respond in full to previous information requests. Should any of the two fail to deliver the missing information within one month, the Commission may refer that Member State to the EU Court of Justice.
    Read more >
  • Commission approves €97 million restructuring aid for Slovenian Cimos Group
    8 June 2015
    The Commission has concluded that restructuring aid of €97 million, which Slovenia plans to grant to automotive components manufacturer Cimos Group, complies with EU state aid rules. The Commission found that Cimos' restructuring plan will allow the company to become viable again in the long-term without needing further state support, and without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.
    Read more >

Subscriptions:

Editorial and legal information

Published by the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for the use which might be made of the above information.

© European Union, 2015. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

Competition website

DG Competition on Twitter