France: Modernization of French merger control rules

Abstract

France was one of the first member states of the European Community to regulate mergers, since the entry into force of the law of July 19, 1977, which introduced threshold criteria and procedures for the control of mergers. The rules were significantly modified upon adoption of the Ordinance of December 1, 1986. The new law significantly overhauls merger control rules in France by: 1. introducing mandatory merger control notification procedures in the event that thresholds are met, and 2. aligning French legal concepts upon equivalent EU concepts applicable to mergers.