This joint review has subsumed a stand-alone review by the CC of its merger guidelines (CC2). In February 2008, the CC issued an invitation to any interested parties to comment on CC2, particularly on areas where the parties considered that change or amplification was needed. It received approaching 20 substantive submissions. Many confirmed support for a joint OFT/CC approach and all the points raised in the responses are being taken fully into account in conducting the joint review.

The OFT and CC websites each feature these pages dedicated to this project.

Timescale and process

The target date for the issuance of draft merger guidelines for public consultation is the end of 2008, with the aim of issuing new joint guidelines in mid-2009.

Involvement of interested parties

Some 20 initial submissions on the CC guidelines have already been received from external economists, lawyers, businesses and others involved in merger inquiries or interested in competition policy. These are making important contributions to the joint review.

The OFT and CC welcomes other submissions by interested parties at any time. In particular, at this stage, it will be helpful to receive comments specifically on points of difference between existing OFT and CC guidance documents, as well as any suggestions or concerns about the aim of combining them in a single document. Please submit comments by email to tony.gooch@cc.gsi.gov.uk 

Throughout the process, the OFT and CC will be jointly issuing working papers on key issues, on which any external party will be welcome to comment. Roundtable and other public discussion sessions will be held on some of the more complex issues. Draft revised guidelines will be put out for formal public consultation once this discussion of issues has been completed.

Working papers and other documents will be added to the 'Core documents' page when they become available.

Use the links below for more information.

Back to: Merger guidelines