On 30 April DG COMP launched a highly anticipated 8-week public consultation on the draft revised Merger Guidelines (‘the Guidelines’).

According to most commentators this consultation could introduce significant changes to EU merger control enforcement policy in Brussels. 

The consultation is the latest step in a thorough review process encompassing two parallel public consultations in 2025, a dedicated conference earlier this year, two interactive technical stakeholder workshops and an expert economic study.

Common to most of the extensive commentaries is that when finalised the Guidelines will introduce a more ‘dynamic’ approach to EU merger control, look beyond short-term price and output effects and take more account of innovation, investment, labour security, scale and resilience in the way that mergers are reviewed in Brussels.

According to senior Commission officials the new EU merger review framework could be implemented in practice ahead of the Guidelines formal adoption slated for the end of 2026.

Participants in this first 'Chatham House rule' in-person / webinar discussion inevitably engaging discussion including policy and technical Q&As exclusively with Daniele Calisti, João Barreiros and Joanna Kay will gain the earliest insights what the Guidelines mean for their clients' deals for the foreseeable future.

Draft Merger Guidelines (30.04.26)

'Europe’s competition czar explains its balancing-act on merger rules' Teresa Ribera, The Economist (30.04.26)

DG COMP's Merger review webpage

Merger Guidelines review DG COMP Flash

'Reviewing the Merger Guidelines - adapting to new market realities?' Dr. Daniele Calisti | Terézia Kianičková | Ana Pendeš (22.05.26)