EC Commission refers Hanson bid for Pioneer to the UK

United Kingdom

On 24th March, the European Commission referred this proposed acquisition under Article 9 of the EC Merger Regulation to the UK competition authorities. The UK had requested such action on 7th March as it believed that the proposed merger raised competition concerns in distinct markets in the UK which warranted further investigation.

Article 9 of the EC Merger Regulation allows a Member State to inform the European Commission that a merger threatens to create or to strengthen a dominant position as a result of which effective competition will be significantly impeded on a market within that Member State, which presents all the characteristics of a distinct market.

(DTI Press Release P/2000/159 and P/2000/212)