France: Law on simplification of economic life including merger control regulation was introduced to Senate

On 24 April 2024, the Law on simplification of economic life, including merger control regulation, was introduced to the Senate. The Law includes an upward revision of the financial thresholds triggering mandatory merger notification to the French Competition Authority. It revises the combined worldwide turnover threshold from EUR 150 million to EUR 250 million, and the domestic turnover threshold applicable to each of at least two of the parties rises from EUR 50 million to EUR 80 million. For mergers assessed under the local market provisions, typically relevant for transactions in the retail sector or other geographically concentrated markets, the thresholds are likewise increased, from EUR 75 million to EUR 100 million for combined turnover and from EUR 15 million to EUR 20 million for the individual party threshold. The Law seeks to ease the administrative burden on businesses involved in transactions that present a low risk of harm to competition, thereby reducing the volume of notifications requiring formal review. The revised thresholds will enter into force on the first day of the fourth month following publication of the Law and will apply to all merger operations notified to the Competition Authority from that date onwards.