Apresentação
Este é um informativo diário que traz para o(a) leitor (a) notícias e casos de defesa da concorrência das principais jurisdições antitruste do mundo (CADE, FTC, Comissão Europeia, CMA etc).
Notícias
Publicada pauta da sessão de julgamento da próxima quarta-feira (30/10). Confira!
Três casos serão apreciados durante a 238ª reunião do Tribunal Administrativo
Publicado em 24/10/2024 08h12 Atualizado em 24/10/2024 08h14
Foi publicada, no Diário Oficial da União desta quinta-feira (24/10), a pauta da próxima sessão de julgamento do Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (Cade). A 238ª Sessão Ordinária de Julgamento, que terá três casos apreciados pelo Tribunal, acontecerá no dia 30/10, às 10h, com transmissão pelo YouTube.
Confira a pauta de julgamento:
1. Procedimento Administrativo de Apuração de Ato de Concentração nº 08700.003705/2023-06
Representados: Totalmix Industria e Comercio Ltda. e Lar Cooperativa Agroindustrial.
Relator: conselheiro Gustavo Augusto
2. Requerimento de TCC nº 08700.001899/2024-88
Requerente: Acesso Restrito
3. Requerimento de TCC nº 08700.001901/2024-19
Requerente: Acesso Restrito
Commission fines České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen €48.7 million over collusion to exclude common competitor
The European Commission has fined České dráhy (‘ČD‘) and Österreichische Bundesbahnen (‘ÖBB‘), the Czech and Austrian rail incumbents, a total of €48.7 million for breaching EU antitrust rules. ČD and ÖBB colluded to prevent a new entrant, RegioJet, from accessing used wagons, thus restricting competition on the rail passenger transport market.
The infringement
ČD and ÖBB provide rail passenger transport services in Czechia and Austria. In 2011, RegioJet entered the long-distance rail passenger transport market in Czechia. To compete with ČD and ÖBB, RegioJet largely relied on used wagons.
The Commission’s investigation found that, between 2012 and 2016, ČD and ÖBB colluded to maintain their market position and impede the expansion of RegioJet both in Czechia and on the international rail route between Prague and Vienna, in breach of Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’).
ČD and ÖBB coordinated their actions in sales processes related to used ÖBB wagons for long-distance passenger transport, to prevent RegioJet from buying them. ÖBB’s wagons were particularly relevant for RegioJet, in light of their quality and modern features, but also because they were already approved for operations in Czechia.
In particular, the Commission found that ČD and ÖBB:
- Collusively timed wagon sales so that RegioJet could not buy ÖBB’s used wagons.
- Rigged ÖBB’s used wagon sales procedures so that ČD could buy the wagons instead of RegioJet.
- Agreed on a suitable buyer other than RegioJet for ÖBB’s used wagons that ČD was not interested in.
- Exchanged confidential information about the bids and degree of interest of other bidders participating in the sales.
The fine
The fines were set on the basis of the Commission’s 2006 Guidelines on fines. In setting the level of fines, the Commission took into account various elements, including the serious nature of the infringement, its geographic scope and its duration.
ÖBB cooperated with the Commission under the leniency programme (2006 Leniency Notice) and therefore received a fine reduction of 45%. The reduction reflects the timing of ÖBB’s cooperation and the extent to which the evidence it provided helped the Commission to prove the existence of the cartel.
The breakdown of the fines imposed on each company is as follows:
| Fine (€) | Leniency reduction | |
| ÖBB | 16 712 000 | 45% |
| ČD | 31 940 000 | 0% |
Background
In June 2016, the Commission carried out unannounced inspections. The Commission sent a Statement of Objections in June 2022.
Article 101 TFEU, which can also be applied by national competition authorities, prohibits anticompetitive agreements and concerted practices between companies that affect trade between Member States and that have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within the internal market.
Fines imposed on companies found in breach of EU antitrust rules are paid into the general EU budget. These proceeds are not earmarked for particular expenses, but Member States’ contributions to the EU budget for the following year are reduced accordingly. The fines therefore help to finance the EU and reduce the burden for taxpayers.
To deliver on the objectives of the EU Green Deal, emphasis is placed on increasing the efficiency of the transport system, strongly prioritising rail transport as an environment-friendly mode of transport. This cannot be achieved without the existence of effective competition and attractive rail transport services.
Action for damages
Any person or company affected by anticompetitive behaviour as described in this case may bring the matter before the courts of the Member States and seek damages. The case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and Regulation 1/2003 both confirm that in cases before national courts, a Commission decision that has become final constitutes binding proof that the behaviour took place and was illegal. Even when the Commission has fined the cartel participants concerned, damages may be awarded by national courts without being reduced on account of the Commission fine.
The Antitrust Damages Directive makes it easier for victims of anticompetitive practices to obtain damages. More information on antitrust damages actions, including a practical guide on how to quantify antitrust harm, is available here.
Whistleblower tool
The Commission has set up by a tool to make it easier for individuals to alert it about anticompetitive behaviour while maintaining their anonymity. The tool protects whistleblowers’ anonymity through a specifically designed encrypted messaging system that allows two-way communications. The tool is accessible via this link.
For More Information
More information will be made available under the case number AT.40401 in the public case register on the Commission’s competition website. A periodic compilation of antitrust and cartel news is available in the Competition Weekly News Summary.
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Commission clears JD Sports acquisition of Courir subject to conditions
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Groupe Courir SAS (‘Courir’) by JD Sports Fashion Plc Group (‘JD Sports’). The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by the parties.
The Commission’s investigation
The Commission’s investigation showed that the transaction, as initially notified, would have reduced competition in the retail markets for: (i) leisure and performance sports footwear and apparel in Portugal; and (ii) leisure sports footwear in certain local markets in France. The Commission found that the online and offline sales constrain one another and form part of the same relevant market. Competitive pressure from online sales was reflected in the Commission’s assessment of the transaction’s effects at local level.
The Commission found that the transaction would have resulted in high combined market shares as well as high concentration levels in several local markets. The Commission also found that, after the merger, there would not be enough alternative competitors to exert sufficient competitive pressure on the merged entity. This would have led to higher prices and less choice for consumers in the affected markets.
The proposed remedies
To address the Commission’s competition concerns, the parties offered to divest all Courir stores in Portugal and several stores in certain areas of France to Snipes, a direct competitor focusing on the retail supply of leisure sports goods. These commitments fully address the competition concerns identified by the Commission, by ensuring that there will be sufficient competition and choice in the affected markets.
In today’s decision, the Commission has approved Snipes as a suitable purchaser of the divested businesses after finding that it fulfils all the relevant criteria. In a separate procedure, the Commission will approve the terms of sale and assess whether these are in line with the proposed commitments. Pursuant to the latter, JD Sports can only implement the acquisition of Courir following the Commission’s approval.
Following the positive feedback received during the market test, the Commission concluded that the transaction, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns.
The clearance decision is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments. Under the supervision of the Commission, an independent trustee will monitor their implementation.
Companies and products
JD Sports, headquartered in the UK, is a sports goods retailer, focused on sports apparel and footwear. It operates worldwide under various retail banners (both online and via over 3,300 physical stores) and has a limited wholesale business. It is ultimately owned by Pentland Group Holdings Limited.
Courir, headquartered in France, is active in the retail supply of sportswear, including footwear, apparel, and accessories. In Europe, Courir operates over 300 stores, located in Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. It also sells online in all EU countries except for Malta. It is ultimately owned by Equistone.
For More Information
The transaction was first notified to the Commission on 21 June 2024, but the parties withdrew their notification on 7 August 2024. The parties renotified the transaction to the Commission on 3 September 2024.
The Commission has the duty to assess mergers and acquisitions involving companies with a turnover above certain thresholds (see Article 1 of the EU Merger Regulation) and to prevent concentrations that would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.
The vast majority of notified mergers do not pose competition problems and are cleared after a routine review. From the moment a transaction is notified, the Commission generally has a total of 25 working days to decide whether to grant approval (Phase I) or to start an in-depth investigation (Phase II). If commitments are proposed in Phase I, the Commission has 10 additional working days, bringing the total duration of a Phase I case to 35 working days, such as in this case.
More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11159.
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Grupo TD Synnex notifica a aquisição do controlo exclusivo sobre um conjunto de Ativos Ajoomal.
Ficha do processo
La CNDC expuso en la Alianza Inter Americana de Defensa de la Competencia sobre la investigación de mercado de papel tissue y pañales descartables
El informe de la investigación de mercado, elaborado por la Comisión Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia (CNDC), fue publicado en mayo de 2024. Durante la sesión de la Alianza Inter Americana de Defensa de la Competencia se compartieron las principales conclusiones del estudio
23 de octubre de 2024
El 23 de octubre de 2024 se llevó a cabo de manera virtual una nueva sesión de la Alianza Inter Americana de Defensa de la Competencia. En esta oportunidad, Matías Alen, Director de Investigación y Monitoreo de Mercados de la Dirección Nacional de Promoción de la Competencia de la CNDC, expuso los principales resultados de la investigación realizada sobre mercados de pañales descartables y productos de papel tissue en Argentina
En el informe, que fue publicado en mayo de este año, la CNDC concluyó que los mercados de productos de papel tissue ―que incluyen papel higiénico, rollos de cocina, servilletas y pañuelos descartables― tienen un nivel de concentración moderado, mientras que el mercado de pañales descartables se encuentra altamente concentrado, aunque con un nivel de concentración menor que aquel observado al comienzo del período estudiado.
Al igual que otros productos de consumo masivo, estos se venden principalmente a consumidores finales a través supermercados minoristas y mayoristas, autoservicios y otros comercios de proximidad especializados como farmacias, tiendas de perfumería y pañaleras, entre otros.
Asimismo, la CNDC halló que prácticamente la totalidad de los productos consumidos en Argentina son producidos en el país, sin embargo, la matriz de costos tiene una alta correlación con el tipo de cambio debido a que la mayoría de los insumos son importados, siendo el más importante de ambas cadenas productivas la fibra celulósica.
En el caso de los productos de papel tissue, la estructura de la oferta está compuesta por una empresa multinacional y algunas Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (PyMEs) de capitales nacionales. Por su parte, la producción de pañales está explicada fundamentalmente por tres empresas multinacionales y la presencia PyME es marginal, aunque se observa un ingreso reciente que tiene potencial de crecimiento.
Una de las principales diferencias entre ambos mercados es la participación que tienen las marcas propias de las cadenas comerciales minoristas y mayoristas. Mientras que en el caso de los productos de papel tissue es muy relevante, su presencia en el mercado de pañales es prácticamente nula y discontinua. Sin embargo, este escenario podría modificarse debido al ingreso de empresas PyMEs con capacidad de producción para elaborar productos para terceros.
Finalmente, si bien ninguno de los mercados cuenta con regulaciones específicas, algunas de las empresas consultadas expresaron dificultades en la compra de insumos provenientes del exterior debido a las condiciones de acceso a divisas para el pago de importaciones. Este escenario pudo haber afectado la capacidad productiva y por ende el desempeño competitivo de los distintos competidores. Esta dificultad habría impactado más fuertemente sobre aquellas empresas con mayores limitaciones para acceder a financiamiento externo.
La Alianza Interamericana de Defensa de la Competencia es una red de agencias del continente americano, creada en septiembre de 2010 con el objeto de tratar temas relacionados con la defensa de la competencia y fomentar la cooperación entre los distintos miembros.
Informe: enlace
Infografía: enlace
Atos de concentração – Decisões
CADE
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.008035/2024-97
Requerentes: XP Malls Fundo de Investimento Imobiliário – FII, Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliários S.A. e Jundiaí Shopping Center Ltda. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.008134/2024-79
Partes: Cyrela Brazil Realty S.A. Empreendimentos e Participações e CPPIB US RE-A Inc. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.008190/2024-11
Partes: Triana do Brasil Projetos e Serviços Ltda. e Cotesa Engenharia Ltda. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.007932/2024-83
Partes: SiCBRAS Carbeto de Silício do Brasil Ltda., SPE Futura 6 Geração e Comercialização de Energia Solar S.A. e Focus Futura Holding Participações S.A. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.007899/2024-91
Partes: S/A Moageira e Agrícola, Moageira Irati Cereais S/A e Viterra Agriculture Brasil S.A. Aprovação sem restrições.
Comissão Europeia
CLEARLAKE / MV CREDIT
Merger
Last decision date: 23.10.2024 Simplified procedure
CMA
Altrad / Stork UK merger inquiry
- The CMA is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Altrad of Stork UK.
- Updated: 24 October 2024
Sonoco / Eviosys merger inquiry
- The CMA is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Sonoco Products Company of the Eviosys group, from entities managed by KPS Capital Partners LP and Crown Holdings, Inc.
- Updated: 24 October 2024
Microsoft / Inflection inquiry
- The CMA is investigating Microsoft Corporation’s (Microsoft) hiring of certain former employees of Inflection AI, Inc. (Inflection) and its entry into associated arrangements with Inflection.
- Updated: 24 October 2024
Acerinox / Haynes merger inquiry
- The CMA investigated and cleared the anticipated acquisition by Acerinox, S.A. of Haynes International, Inc.
- Updated: 24 October 2024
Carlsberg / Britvic merger inquiry
- The CMA is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Carlsberg UK Holdings Limited of Britvic PLC.
- Updated: 23 October 2024
Atos de concentração – Ingressos
CADE
| Ato de concentração | Requerentes | Descrição da operação | Natureza da operação | Atividade econômica | Rito | Edital (DOU) |
| 08700.008415/2024-21 | Brembo N.V.; Öhlins Intressenter AB; Öhlins USA, Inc.; Tenneco International Luxembourg S.à r.l.; Tenneco Inc. | A Operação proposta consiste na aquisição, pela Brembo N.V. da integralidade das ações emitidas e em circulação da Öhlins USA, Inc. e Öhlins Intressenter AB, juntamente com várias subsidiárias integrais, atualmente detidas pela Tenneco International Luxembourg S.à r.l. e Tenneco Inc. | Aquisição de controle | 29.41-7-00 – Autopeças | Sumário | 23/10/2024 |
| 08700.008372/2024-84 | Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. – Eletrobrás; Gosolar Flutuantes SPE Ltda. | Formação de uma joint-venture entre a Eletrobras e a Gosolar para implementação de projetos de geração distribuida. | Joint-venture clássica | 35.11-5-01 – Geração de energia | Sumário | 23/10/2024 |
| 08700.008379/2024-04 | NOVA SACRAMENTO EMPREENDIMENTOS IMOBILIÁRIOS LTDA.; SPE IRA 13 LTDA. | A operação proposta trata da aquisição, pela Nova Sacramento, de imóvel de propriedade da SP IRA 13, localizado na Avenida Paes de Barros, Bairro da Mooca, São Paulo, SP, para desenvolvimento de empreendimento imobiliário residencial pela Compradora. | Aquisição de ativos | 41.10-7-00 – Incorporação de empreendimentos imobiliários | Sumário | 23/10/2024 |
Fonte: CADE
Elaboração: WebAdvocacy – Direito e Economia