Competition Law

EU okays Italian compensation for power cuts in Sardinia and Sicily by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 May 2010, 23:28 CET

The European Commission has authorised under EU State aid rules a scheme designed to remunerate companies for the provision of instant interruptibility services (the acceptance of power cuts to avoid black outs) in Italy's largest islands, Sardinia and Sicily.

Belgium-Umicore arrangement 'not state aid': Commission by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 May 2010, 23:27 CET

The European Commission has closed its investigation into an arrangement between Belgium and Belgian-based multinational materials technology company UMICORE, which it says does not constitute state aid.

EU approves EUR 10m aid for Dutch energy-saving project by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 May 2010, 23:31 CET

The European Commission has authorised The Netherlands to provide a grant of 10 million euros to Nuon Energy Sourcing NV for a CO2 capture demonstration project.

EU authorises temporary Finnish financial aid to farmers by Ina Dimireva — last modified 25 May 2010, 23:50 CET

The European Commission authorised a Finnish scheme with a budget of €22 million which aims at supporting farmers in Finland who encounter difficulties as a result of the current economic crisis. Aid under this scheme can be granted until 31 December 2010 and will take the form of a direct grant.

European Commission authorises acquisition of Vedici by the 3i investment group by Ina Dimireva — last modified 22 May 2010, 17:36 CET

The European Commission has cleared, under the EU Mergers Regulation, the proposed acquisition of the French Vedici group of healthcare facilities by the British investment group 3i.

EC approves joint venture between TOTAL and ERG by Ina Dimireva — last modified 22 May 2010, 17:37 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed merger of Total Italia and Erg Petroli (EGP), both of Italy, into a new joint venture, active in the refined oil sector.

European Commission approves restructuring of Belgian insurance company Ethias by Ina Dimireva — last modified 20 May 2010, 23:19 CET

The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a €1.5 billion recapitalisation provided by Belgium in the context of the restructuring of Ethias, a Belgian insurer that ran into severe difficulties in 2008, in the wake of the financial crisis.

Commission approves acquisition of NWR Energy by Dalkia Česká republika by Ina Dimireva — last modified 17 May 2010, 23:51 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of NWR Energy by Dalkia Česká republika, two Czech companies active in the energy sector.

Commission approves tax exemptions for Finnish Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) by Ina Dimireva — last modified 12 May 2010, 22:42 CET

The European Commission has authorised under EU state aid rules the introduction of "Real Estate Investment Trusts" (REITs) in Finland that will be exempted from corporate income tax in order to encourage investment in affordable rental housing.

EU clears Swedish restructuring aid for Carnegie Investment Bank by Ina Dimireva — last modified 12 May 2010, 22:43 CET

The European Commission has granted final clearance under the EU state aid rules to the Swedish aid for the restructuring of Carnegie Investment Bank.

State aid: Commission to investigate EUR 20 million capital injections into Elan of Slovenia by Ina Dimireva — last modified 12 May 2010, 22:47 CET

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation under EU State aid rules into capital injections destined to two subsidiaries of state owned company Elan Skupina in Slovenia.

EU approves acquisition of 50Hertz by Elia and Industry Funds Management by Ina Dimireva — last modified 10 May 2010, 21:22 CET

The European Commission has authorised under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control over the German transmission system operator 50Hertz Transmission GmbH by Elia System Operator SA/NV of Belgium and Industry Funds Management Pty Ltd (IFM) of Australia.

EU greenlights Otto's acquisition of various Quelle assets by Ina Dimireva — last modified 10 May 2010, 21:22 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by the German Otto Group of certain assets of the Swiss home-shopping companies Quelle Versand AG i.L. (in liquidation) and Spengler Versand AG.

EU to revise competition rules for motor vehicle distribution and repair by Ina Dimireva — last modified 07 May 2010, 21:37 CET

On May 26, the European Commission is due to adopt new competition rules for agreements between vehicle manufacturers and their authorised dealers, repairers and spare parts distributors.

E.ON's commitments open up German gas market to competitors by Ina Dimireva — last modified 04 May 2010, 23:10 CET

The European Commission has adopted a decision that renders legally binding commitments offered by E.ON to effectively open up access to the German gas market.

EU Court imposes fines of EUR 23.44 million on thread cartel by Leopold Gasteen — last modified 06 May 2010, 12:42 CET

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has upheld a EUR 23.44 million fine originaly imposed by the Commission in 2005 on 5 undertakings for their participation in cartels on the industrial threads markets.

EU authorises compensation to electricity producers in Hungary by Ina Dimireva — last modified 27 April 2010, 22:22 CET

The European Commission has authorised, under EU State aid rules, an aid scheme to compensate electricity producers for costs incurred after liberalisation of the market in Hungary.

EU okay for State Street's Intesa Sanpaolo acquisition by Ina Dimireva — last modified 29 April 2010, 23:50 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of two subsidiaries of the Italian Intesa Sanpaolo banking group by an US-based corporation.

CASELEX:EU:2006:159 - European Court of Justice, European Union Competition Law, Taxation Law by Caselex — last modified 22 April 2010, 16:52 CET

European Court of Justice, European Union Competition Law, Taxation Law

Commission authorises Bulgaria to grant limited aid to farmers by Ina Dimireva — last modified 22 April 2010, 01:22 CET

The European Commission authorised a Bulgarian scheme with a budget of BGN 20 million (approximately € 10,26 million) which aims at supporting agricultural holdings.