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CR Focus 27th March 2007

To visit the "Cartel Watch" section, click here.

European Notifications and Publications
Mergers - Invitation to Comment

European Mergers - Requests for comments >>>more>>>

Mergers - In Depth Investigation

SFR/TELE 2 France >>>more>>>

Mergers Cleared

Umicore/Zinifex/Neptune >>>more>>>

Etat Français-Thalès/DCN >>>more>>>

Thrane & Thrane/Nera Satcom AS >>>more>>>

State Aid

European Commission investigates Hungarian tax scheme relating to intra-group transactions >>>more>>>

European Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed Spanish State Aid of €27 million to ITP >>>more>>>

Cartels

Review of cartel fines from 2002 to 2007 >>>more>>>

Public Procurement

Infringement proceedings initiated against Czech Republic and Germany regarding competitive tendering procedures >>>more>>>

Case closed against Germany regarding, bus services, legal services and waste management services >>>more>>>

Speeches

Neelie Kroes speech: "Developments in competition policy since October 2006 - and a look forward into 2007" >>>more>>>

Neelie Kroes speech: "Improving Europe's energy markets through more competition" >>>more>>>

Neelie Kroes speech: "Fact -based competition policy - the contribution of sector inquiries to better regulation, priority setting and detection" >>>more>>>

José Manuel Barroso speech: "A stronger Europe for a successful globalisation" >>>more>>>

Olli Rehn speech: "Europe's frontiers a dynamic concept" >>>more>>>

Charlie McCreevy speech: "Priorities in the Internal Market" >>>more>>>

Charles McCreevy speech: "The Future of the Transatlantic Capital Market - Regulation, Risk, Governance" >>>more>>>

Charlie McCreevy speech: "Asset Management: Delivering on Industry and Market Needs" >>>more>>>

Miscellaeneous

European Commission: Intention to develop an integrated approach to trans-European transport, energy and telecommunications networks >>>more>>>

European Commission: New infringement package adopted >>>more>>>

European Commission: Infringement proceedings initiated against Denmark, Finland and Hungary regarding sports betting services >>>more>>>

European Commission: France referred to ECJ for fixing minimum retail prices for cigarettes >>>more>>>

European Parliament: Vote to reduce international mobile roaming charges >>>more>>>

European Commission: Public consultation to identify common Europe-wide freephone services >>>more>>>

European Commission: Statement of Objections sent regarding professional videotape cartel >>>more>>>

European Commission: Invitation for comments on proposed commitments regarding access to information for independent car repair shops >>>more>>>

European Commission: Czech Republic requested to amend Czech Competition Act >>>more>>>

European Commission: Infringement proceedings against 7 Member States in relation to electronic communications >>>more>>>

European Commission: Legal action commenced against 14 Member States relating to implementation of landfilling of waste legislation >>>more>>>

European Commission: Greece referred to ECJ for failure to adopt broadcasting services legislation >>>more>>>

European Commission: Invitation to lobbyists to register >>>more>>>

European Court of Justice: Statistics published concerning judicial activity in 2006 >>>more>>>

European Commission: WTO dispute settlement proceedings initiated relating to US subsidies to Boeing >>>more>>>

European Commission: Consultation opened into framework for retail investment funds (UCITS) >>>more>>>

 
UK Notifications & Publications
Competition Commission

Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited of GV Instruments Limited: provision findings >>>more>>>

CAT

Stericycle v Competition Commission: Order published >>>more>>>

Emerson Electric v Morgan Crucible Company: Order published >>>more>>>

Terry Brannigan v OFT: Order published >>>more>>>

Mergers - Invitation to Comment

General Electric Company/Smiths Aerospace >>>more>>>

Mergers Cleared with Undertakings

Inchcape/European Motor Holdings >>>more>>>

Mergers Cleared - Full Text Decisions

Caparo Precision Tubes Limited/Hayes Tubes Limited >>>more>>>

BET UK Limited/Target Express Holdings Limited >>>more>>>

Miscellaneous

OFT: 'Fast-track' offer of reduced penalties in construction industry cartel investigation >>>more>>>

OFT: Case closure summary published regarding the alleged price-fixing of Oakley sunglasses >>>more>>>

Ofcom: Update published relating to The Number UK/BT directory enquiry dispute >>>more>>>

Ofcom: Update published relating to Conduit/BT directory enquiry dispute >>>more>>>

Ofcom: Market investigation to be opened into the pay TV industry >>>more>>>

Ofcom: Update published relating to Rapture TV/Sky EPG charges dispute >>>more>>>

Ofcom: Public Service Broadcasting: Annual report 2007 published >>>more>>>

Ofcom: Inquiry into the use of premium rate telecoms services (PRS) in television programmes announced >>>more>>>

Postcomm: Commencement of review into Royal Mail's 'final mile' charges to new operators >>>more>>>

Postcomm: Guidance published on Royal Mail's participation in competitive tendering under the public procurement rules >>>more>>>

Ofgem: Open letter published regarding Renewables Obligation Orders (the Orders) from 1 April 2007 >>>more>>>

Ofgem: Consultation on Gas Distribution Price Control Review >>>more>>>

Ofgem: Statement of conclusions on the Independent Gas Transporters Network Code Governance >>>more>>>

 
European Notifications and Publications
Mergers - Invitation to Comment

COMP/M.4561: GE/Smiths Aerospace - technology, aerospace systems and equipment. Interested parties should submit their comments by 31 March 2007. To read the notification, click here.

COMP/M.4518: Alcoa/Orkla/Soft Alloy Extrusion JV - aluminium, soft and hard alloy extrusions, consumer goods, energy and financials. Interested parties should submit their comments by 30 March 2007. To read the notification, click here.

COMP/M.4569: GE/Abbot Diagnostics Division - manufacturing, technology and services, in vitro diagnostic systems and products. Interested parties should submit their comments by 3 April 2007. To read the notification, click here.

COMP/M.4613: Eurazaeo SA/Apcoa Parking Holdings GmbH - budget hotel, car rental, real estate, parking management services. Interested parties should submit their comments by 2 April 2007. To read the notification, click here.

Mergers - In Depth Investigation

COMP/M.4504: SFR/TELE 2 France - media, telecommunications, mobile telephony. To read the press release, click here.

Mergers Cleared

COMP/M.4450: Umicore/Zinifex/Neptune - zinc and lead mining, smelting and refining. To read the decision, click here.

COMP/M.4191: Etat Français-Thalès/DCN - defence systems for naval, aerospace, transport and civil security applications. To read the press release, click here.

COMP/M.4465: Thrane & Thrane/Nera Satcom AS - radio communication equipment, equipment for land-based, maritime and aeronautical satellite communications, terminals and land earth stations for land mobile and maritime satellite communications. To read the press release, click here.

State Aid

The European Commission has opened an investigation into the Hungarian tax scheme, relating to the taxation of interest in the context of intra-group transactions. To read the press release, click here.

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into a proposed 27 million Euro loan to Spanish company ITP for the development of aircraft engine Trent 1000. To read the press release, click here.

Cartels

Statistics of cartels from 2002 to date. To read the document, click here.

Public Procurement

The European Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Czech Republic and Germany regarding competitive tendering procedures. To read the press release, click here.

The European Commission has closed its infringement case against Germany regarding, bus services, legal services and waste management services. To read the press release, click here.

Speeches

Neelie Kroes speech: "Developments in competition policy since October 2006 - and a look forward into 2007". To read the speech, click here.

Neelie Kroes speech: "Improving Europe's energy markets through more competition". To read the speech, click here.

Neelie Kroes speech: "Fact -based competition policy - the contribution of sector inquiries to better regulation, priority setting and detection". To read the speech, click here.

José Manuel Barroso speech: "A stronger Europe for a successful globalisation". To read the speech, click here.

Olli Rehn speech: "Europe's frontiers a dynamic concept". To read the speech, click here.

Charlie McCreevy speech: "Priorities in the Internal Market". To read the speech, click here.
Charles McCreevy speech: "The Future of the Transatlantic Capital Market - Regulation, Risk, Governance". To read the speech, click here.
Charlie McCreevy speech: "Asset Management: Delivering on Industry and Market Needs". To read the speech, click here.
Miscellaneous
The European Commission has communicated its intention to develop an integrated approach to trans-European transport, energy and telecommunications networks. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has adopted a new infringement package. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Denmark, Finland and Hungary regarding sports betting services. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission is to refer France to the ECJ for fixing minimum retail prices for cigarettes. To read the press release, click here.
The European Parliament is to vote, for the first time at Committee stage regarding the European Commission's proposal to reduce international mobile roaming charges by up to 70% from this summer. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has opened a public consultation to identify common Europe-wide freephone services that could benefit from numbers starting with the 116 pre-fix. The consultation is to run until 20 May 2007. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has sent a Statement of Objections to a number of alleged participants of a cartel for professional videotape. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has invited comments on the proposed commitments of four car manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, General Motors and Fiat) to give independent car repair shops adequate access to technical information. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has formally requested the Czech Republic to amend a provision of the Czech Competition Act that limits the Czech Competition Authority's power to apply Articles 81 (prohibiting cartels and other restrictive business practices) and 82 (prohibiting abuses of dominant position) of the EC Treaty to anticompetitive behaviour in the electronic communications sector. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has brought a new round of infringement proceedings against Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Estonia and Cyprus in the electronic communications field. The proceedings against Estonia are in respect of its failure to carry out the required market analysis under the EU Telecom rules; those against Cyprus are in respect to rights of way for mobile markets; and the proceedings against the five remaining Member States are in respect of deficiencies related to Europe's emergency number 112. To read the press release, click here and to read a summary of the issues involved, click here.
The European Commission has decided to start legal action against 14 Member States for inadequately transposing the EU's legislation on the landfilling of waste into their national law. The Member States concerned are Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has decided to refer Greece to the European Court of Justice concerning its failure to adopt a new framework for broadcasting services. To read the press release, click here.
As part of the European Transparency Initiative, the European Commission has invited lobbyists and interest groups to subscribe to a public register. To read the press release, click here.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has published statistics concerning judicial activity in 2006 showing a significant reduction in the duration of proceedings before the ECJ. To read the press release, click here.
The EU has initiated WTO dispute settlement proceedings in relation to a number of US government subsidies to Boeing. To read the press release, click here.
The European Commission has opened a consultation into the shape of possible changes to the EU framework for retail investment funds (UCITS). To read the press release, click here.
 
UK Notifications & Publications
Competition Commission

The Competition Commission has published its provisional findings that the completed acquisition by Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited of GV Instruments Limited would lead to higher prices for customers of some Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) instruments. To read the press release, click here, to read the Notice and summary of provisional findings, click here, and to read the Notice of possible remedies, click here.

CAT

(1) Stericycle International LLC (2) Stericycle International Limited v Competition Commission. The CAT has published its Order of the Tribunal. To read the Order, click here, to read the Order of the President (formerly confidential version), click here, to read the Ruling on application for stay (formerly confidential version), click here, to read the Transcript of case management conference held in private (formerly confidential version) click here, and to read the Transcript of case management conference held in public (formerly confidential version) click here.

Emerson Electric Co v Morgan Crucible Company PLC and others. The CAT has published its Order of the Tribunal. To read the Order, click here, and to read the Transcript of a case management conference, click here.

Terry Brannigan v Office of Fair Trading. The CAT has published its Order of the Tribunal. To read the Order, click here.

Mergers - Invitation to Comment

The General Electric Company/Smiths Aerospace - Defence - Specified public interest consideration: National security. Interested parties should submit their comments by 4 April 2007. To read the notification, click here and to read the DTI press release, click here.

Mergers Cleared subject to Undertakings

Inchcape/European Motor Holdings - Volkswagen servicing and repairs. The OFT has accepted structural undertakings in lieu of a reference to the Competition Commission. To read the press release, click here.

Mergers Cleared - Full Text Decisions

Caparo Precision Tubes Limited/Hayes Tubes Limited - steel tubes To read the full text decision, click here.

BET UK Limited/Target Express Holdings Limited - domestic and international parcel delivery. To read the full text, click here.

Miscellaneous

The OFT has made a 'fast-track' offer in its current bid rigging cartel investigation in the construction industry by making an offer of reduced financial penalties to all implicated companies that have not yet applied for leniency but are willing to co-operate with the OFT in certain specific ways. To read the press release, click here.

The OFT has published its case closure summary regarding the alleged price-fixing of Oakley sunglasses. To read the summary, click here.

Ofcom has published an update note in relation to the dispute between The Number UK Ltd and BT about charges for directory enquiry information. To read the update note, click here.

Ofcom has published an update note in relation to the dispute between BT and Conduit about charges for directory information. To read the update note, click here.
Ofcom is to conduct a Market investigation into the pay TV industry to consider whether it should be referred to the Competition Commission at the request of BT, Setanta, Top Up TV, and Virgin Media. To read the press release, click here.
Ofcom has published an update note in relation to the dispute between Rapture TV and Sky about EPG charges. To read the update, click here.
Ofcom has published its Public Service Broadcasting: Annual report 2007. To read the press release, click here and to read the Report, click here.
Ofcom has announced an inquiry into the use of premium rate telecoms services (PRS) in television programmes. To read the announcement, click here.
Postcomm has announced its commencement of a review into Royal Mail's charges to new operators for use of its network and delivery of mail over the 'final mile'. To read the announcement, click here.
Postcomm has published guidance on Royal Mail participation in competitive tendering under the public procurement rules. To read the press release, click here. To read Postcomm's decision, click here. To read Postcomm's guidance, click here.
Ofgem has published an open letter regarding changes to the Renewables Obligation Orders (the Orders) from 1 April 2007. To read the letter, click here.
Ofgem has published a consultation on Gas Distribution Price Control Review. Responses should be received by 25 April 2007. To read the consultation click here.
Ofgem has published a statement of conclusions on the Independent Gas Transporters Network Code Governance. To read the conclusions, click here.