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The revised merger documents of the GVH come into force on 1 August

The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) modified its merger notice dealing with the differentiation between simplified (first phase) and full (second phase) proceedings, and the merger notification form. The documents are to be applied from 1 August 2013, and all applications after this date are to be submitted using the modified forms.

In order to enhance the effectiveness of merger proceedings, the GVH held a public consultation in 2011 and in 2012 took steps towards speeding up merger proceedings (introducing a new application form, facilitating pre-notification consultations, establishing an investigative section specialised in mergers). Based on its experiences over the past year, the GVH decided that it was necessary to revise its merger notice on full proceedings, its merger notification form and its notice on pre-notification consultations.

The most important change concerns non-horizontal mergers where the threshold for qualifying a proceeding as a full proceeding is being raised from the current 25% to 30%, and a second threshold (5%) is being introduced. Using the above-mentioned thresholds the Competition Council decides whether it is necessary to investigate the market effects of a merger within a longer period of time (four months according to the law). The application form introduced in 2012 has met the expectations; and the modifications are necessary due to smaller corrections and amendments based on practical experience so far.

In the GVH-s opinion the administrative burdens placed on market players can be reduced without significantly increasing the risk of authorising mergers that restrict the competition.

More information on the revision of the merger documents can be found on the homepage of the GVH.

Budapest, 29 July 2013.

Hungarian Competition Authority

Further information:
Katalin GONDOLOVICS
Spokeswoman
Mail: 1054 Budapest, V. ker. Alkotmány u. 5.
Postal address: 1245 Budapest, 5. POB 1036
Tel: (+36-1) 472-8902
email: press@gvh.hu
http://www.gvh.hu