Brexit

Recent research undertaken by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) indicates that most companies surveyed value sustainability and consider collaboration with customers, suppliers and competitors essential for improving the sustainability of their operations. Notably, large companies seem to work together much more often than small and medium-sized enterprises.

On 25 February 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) answered preliminary questions in a long-awaited ruling in a case between BSH Hausgeräte GmbH (BSH) and Electrolux AB (Electrolux). The ruling clarifies certain aspects regarding cross-border patent injunctions against defendants domiciled in an EU member state and seems to broaden the possibilities of cross-border injunctions.

European and national competition authorities in member states are actively trying to review transactions that do not fall automatically under EU or national merger control, by referring cases to the Commission. At the same time, the UK Competition & Market Authority (CMA) seems to be developing an increasingly interventionist and vigilant approach to merger review. It uses the flexibility of its thresholds to claim jurisdiction, even in cases with limited nexus or overlap in the UK. Courtesy of Brexit, undertakings no longer benefit from the Commission's “one-stop-shop” merger review when it comes to the United Kingdom. The CMA has predicted a 40-50% increase in merger cases as a result.