Review of the EU Merger Guidelines: BEUC’s response to the public consultation

Consumer welfare in the European Union depends on the existence of competitive markets. Yet, market concentration in consumer-facing sectors (such as air transport, telecoms, food or energy) has increased in recent years, and there is significant evidence showing that this has resulted in negative outcomes for consumers, including higher prices, less choice, and reduced quality of products and services.

Merger control is essential in this context: by preventing corporate transactions that reduce competition from being implemented, it encourages innovation and investment, and ultimately ensures that companies deliver value for money for consumers. 

The EU Merger Guidelines play a central role in this framework, as they guide the assessment of mergers by the European Commission and national competition authorities for the years to come. Ensuring that they remain focused on the protection of competitive markets and that they do not become a vehicle for advancing industrial or political objectives at consumers’ expense must therefore be a priority.