The Commission on Protection of Competition has adopted Rules for pre-notification contacts with respect to the concentrations

By Decision No1005/10.12.2020 the Commission on Protection of Competition (CPC, Commission) has adopted Rules for implementation of pre-notification contacts relating to the control of concentrations between undertakings.

Pre-notification contacts are an important part of the concentration assessment procedure. Within these pre-notification meetings, the undertakings concerned may informally discuss the concentration with the representatives of the CPC. Based on its experience, the CPC recommends the undertakings concerned to initiate such pre-notification meetings, even in seemingly unproblematic cases. Pre-notification consultations increase the efficiency of proceedings and prevent from situations when the merger notification is not complete. The discussion prior to notification facilitates the early identification of possible future problems and enables their efficient management. It should be noted that the substantive assessment of the transaction by the CPC is possible only in the course of the subsequent proceedings.

The Rules enter into force on 01.01.2021.

The full text of the Decision No 1005/10.12.2020 is available in the public electronic register of the CPC at http://reg.cpc.bg/Decision.aspx?DecID=300058971