The EU merger regulation and the anatomy of the merger task force

Book abstract:

This book aims to provide a timely and comprehensive guide to the scope of European Merger Control Regulations. It is intended as an introduction to the workings of merger control at European level and is designed to provide the reader with the framework provisions, as opposed to a case by case analysis, thereby enabling those involved with mergers to understand more comprehensively how the regulation and the decisions of the Merger Task Force affect specific mergers, organisations and business. The book is aimed mainly at business people so that they can act and plan ahead accordingly, and the book takes a practical rather than academic approach. It is the third in a series written by Hammond Suddards which aims to cover a wide range of topical legal issues through user-friendly legal analysis and focusing on a variety of European and international legal topics.

The original Merger Regulation (Council Regulation 4064/89) came into force on 21 September 1990. The main legal as well as political reason for establishing this regulation was the need to regulate excessive concentration within the Common Market and ensure sound competition between undertakings. It was recently amended by Council Regulation 1310/97 (the Amending Regulation) and the amendments made by this regulation represent some important changes, which are covered in the book in detail.

Chapter titles are: The scope of the merger regulation; Procedure, Structure of the MTF (Merger Task Force); Court actions against final decisions; and Draft notices on merger control. Several annexes list the regulations and notices relevant to merger control.