French Competition Authority Archives

French Competition Authority

New Developments in French Competition Law Pose Risk of Ex-Post Challenge to Non-Notifiable Transactions

by Frédéric Pradelles, Stéphane Dionnet and Mary Hecht | Jun 5, 2024 | Agriculture, EC Developments, EU Developments, French Developments, Mergers & Acquisitions

In a significant development for French merger control, on May 2, 2024, the French Competition Authority (FCA) applied the jurisprudence laid down in the recent Towercast case to an alleged anticompetitive agreement matter in the meat-cutting sector.

In its Towercast ruling (C-449/21), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held that a merger which is not notifiable (i.e., being below the European and national merger control thresholds) and which has not been subject to a referral under Article 22 of the Merger Regulation 139/2004 of 2004 may be challenged a posteriori by the European Commission or a national competition authority if an abuse of dominant position resulting from the merger but detachable from it can be established.

Less than a week after the Towercast ruling, the Belgian Competition Authority applied the principles set out by the CJEU by opening an ex officio investigation into the acquisition of the edpnet group by Proximus, ordering interim measures in June 2023 to ensure the continuity of edpnet’s activities and its operational and commercial independence from Proximus, ultimately leading to the sale of edpnet’s activities post-closing in November 2023. The president of the FCA, Benoît Cœuré, said that this instrument could “now be used, bearing in mind that its conditions of use are restrictive”. This has now been confirmed by the FCA’s May 2 decision, on which Cœuré said was an “important clarification for merger control”, particularly regarding Article 101 TFEU.

French Competition Authority Fines a Pharmaceutical Laboratory EUR 25 Million for Anti-Generic Practices

by Elena Chutrova and McDermott Will & Emery | Jan 4, 2018 | French Developments, Healthcare Antitrust, Monopolization/Abuse of Dominance

On 20 December 2017, the French Competition Authority (the FCA) imposed a EUR 25 million fine on a pharmaceutical laboratory, for delaying entry onto the market of the generic version of Durogesic, and for hindering its development through a disparagement campaign.

No public version of the decision is available yet, nonetheless the FCA has already published a detailed press release (available in French).

WHAT HAPPENED

Durogesic is a powerful opioid analgesic, which active substance is fentanyl, usually prescribed in the form of transdermal patch for the treatment of severe pain, including chronic cancer pain. In 2007, a competing pharmaceutical company launched its generic equivalent. (more…)

Three Things To Know About French Merger Control

by Jacques Buhart | Dec 13, 2017 | EC Developments, EU Developments, French Developments, Joint Ventures/Competitor Collaboration, Mergers & Acquisitions

Jurisdictional thresholds

French merger control applies if the turnovers of the parties to a transaction (usually the acquirer(s) including its (their) group(s) of companies, and the target) exceeded, in the last financial year, certain (cumulative) thresholds provided in Article L. 430-2, I of the French Commercial Code (the “Code”):

Combined worldwide pre-tax turnover of all concerned parties > €150 million; and
French turnover achieved by at least two parties individually > €50 million euros; and
The transaction is not caught by the EU Merger Regulation.

Specific (and lower) thresholds exist for mergers in the retail sector or in French overseas departments or communities[1].

In the situation of an acquisition of joint control, a transaction can be notifiable where each of the acquirers meets the thresholds even if the target has no presence or turnover in France.

There is no exception applicable to foreign-to-foreign transactions.

Acquisitions of ‘non-controlling’ minority shareholdings are not notifiable.

Filing is mandatory and failure to file or early implementation can be sanctioned

Under Article L. 430-3 of the Code, a notifiable merger cannot be finalized before its clearance by the French Competition Authority (the “FCA”) but the Code does not provide any specific deadline for the notification. There is no filing fee.

Failure to notify a reportable transaction can be sanctioned by the FCA as follows:

A daily penalty can be imposed on the notifying party(ies) until they notify the operation or demerge, as the case may be; and
A fine can be imposed on the notifying party(ies) up to:
- For corporate entities: 5% of their pre-tax turnover in France during the last financial year;
- For individuals: €1.5 million.

Due to the suspensive effect of the filing, these sanctions also apply when the parties start to implement a notified transaction before receiving clearance (so-called ‘gun jumping’) from the FCA.

Nevertheless, individual exemptions may be granted by the FCA to allow undertakings to close before receiving clearance; in practical terms, exemptions are exceptional and limited to circumstances where insolvency proceedings have been opened, or are about to be opened, in relation to the target.

Timeline of merger control procedure

The majority of notified transactions are cleared in Phase I, which lasts 25 business days as from the receipt by the FCA of a complete notification.

A simplified procedure, which lasts for about 15 business days, is available for non-problematic acquisitions, which is often the case for transactions involving private equity funds. Simplified procedures accounted for about 50% of the notified transactions between May 2016 and May 2017.

Phase II is reserved for problematic acquisitions requiring a deeper examination and takes at least an additional 65 business days.

In addition, parties can pre-notify a transaction with the FCA. The pre-notification procedure can prove to be very useful in order to confirm the notifiability of a transaction, the nature and amount of information that will be required by the FCA [...]

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Significant Fine Imposed by the French Competition Authority in Floor Coverings Cartel

by Elena Chutrova and McDermott Will & Emery | Oct 25, 2017 | Cartel Enforcement, EU Developments, French Developments, Joint Ventures/Competitor Collaboration, Monopolization/Abuse of Dominance

On October 19, 2017, the French Competition Authority (the “FCA”) imposed a EUR 302 million fine on the three leading companies in the PVC and linoleum floor coverings sector; Forbo, Gerflor and Tarkett, as well as the industry’s trade association, SFEC (Syndicat Français des Enducteurs Calandreurs et Fabricants de Revêtements de Sols et Murs), for price-fixing, sharing commercially sensitive information, and signing a non-compete agreement relating to environmental performance advertising.

The FCA said the significant fine reflected the gravity of the offence and the long duration of the anticompetitive behavior, which for one company lasted 23 years.

WHAT HAPPENED

The proceedings were originally initiated by unannounced inspections carried out in the floor coverings industry in 2013 by the FCA, acting on information submitted by the DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control), which resulted in the discovery of three distinct anticompetitive practices.

Price-fixing

The FCA found that the three main manufacturers of floor coverings in France met secretly at so-called “1, 2, 3” meetings, from October 2001 to September 2011, at hotels, on the margins of official meetings of the SFEC or through dedicated telephone lines, in order to discuss minimum prices and price increases for their products. The manufacturers also entered into agreements covering a great deal of other sensitive information, such as the strategies to adopt with regard to specific customers or competitors, organization of sales activities and sampling of new products.

Confidential information exchange via the trade association

The FCA found that from 1990 until the start of the FCA’s investigations in 2013, Forbo, Gerflor and Tarkett also exchanged, in the context of official meetings of the SFEC, very precise information relating to their trading volumes, revenues per product category and business forecasts. In its decision, the FCA also raised the active role played by the SFEC, supporting companies in their conduct.

Non-compete agreement relating to environmental performance advertising

The three main manufacturers of floor coverings in France, together with the trade association, also signed a ‘non-compete’ agreement which prevented each company from advertising the individual environmental performance of its products. The FCA considered that this agreement may have acted as a disincentive for manufacturers to innovate and offer new products, earmarked by better environmental performance, compared to the products offered by their competitors.

Neither the manufacturers nor the trade association disputed the facts and all of them sought a settlement procedure. In addition, Forbo and Tarkett, leniency applicants, benefited from fine reductions corresponding to the respective dates they approached the FCA (the sooner, the higher the fine reduction), the quality of the evidence they provided and their cooperation during the investigation.

WHAT THIS MEANS

The FCA’s decision in the floor coverings cartel case has significant impact due to the total amount of the fines imposed which is (i) higher than the aggregate amount of sanctions imposed by the FCA in 2016 (i.e., EUR 202,873,000), and (ii) until now the highest fine imposed by the FCA in 2017, the FCA having imposed a EUR 100 million fine on Engie for abusing its dominant position in the [...]

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Model Management Services, Italian Competition Authority Fines 8 Modelling Agencies and Their Trade Association for Price Fixing

by Emily Townsend | Nov 14, 2016 | French Developments, Italian Developments, Joint Ventures/Competitor Collaboration, Monopolization/Abuse of Dominance

On 11 November 2016, the Italian Competition Authority (the Authority) fined eight modelling agencies (B.M. S.r.l. – Brave, D’management Group S.r.l., Elite Model Management S.r.l., Enjoy S.r.l., Major Model Management S.r.l., Next Italy S.r.l., Why Not S.r.l. and Women Models S.p.a.) and their trade association (Assem) of € 4.5 million for alleged price collusion. According to the Authority, the modelling agencies would have agreed on the applicable prices on the market with the aim of avoiding any form of competition. In particular, the alleged price collusion would have concerned all the components of the prices applied to the major maisons and other clients (e.g., fees for models, wages for the modelling agencies and other additional costs). Furthermore, a practical role would have been played by the trade association, Assem, where the modelling agencies had held frequent meetings to develop the alleged concerted practice.

In calculating the fine, the Authority took into account that the alleged conduct took place between 2007 and 2015. Moreover, the Authority granted to Img Italy S.r.l. the full immunity from fines given that it revealed the existence of the alleged conduct. Regarding the European scenario, on 29 September 2016, the French Competition Authority fined the main trade association, SYNAM and 37 modelling agencies of €2.38 million for price fixing. In addition, there is a pending investigation of the Competition and Market Authority into alleged anti-competitive conducts in the model management services in United Kingdom.

Gabriele Giunta contributed to this blog post.

French Competition Authority Imposes Its First Ever Fine for Gun-Jumping

by Louise Aberg and McDermott Will & Emery | Nov 9, 2016 | French Developments, Mergers & Acquisitions

For the first time ever, on 8 November 2016 the French Competition Authority (FCA) sanctioned companies for implementing a transaction that had been notified to the FCA but not yet received a clearance decision, behaviour commonly known as “gun-jumping”. (more…)

E-Commerce: National Competitions Authorities Weigh In on Sales Restrictions Regarding Online Marketplaces

by Antoine De Rohan Chabot and Mélanie Bruneau | Mar 2, 2016 | EC Developments, EU Developments, German Developments

In May 2015, the European Commission launched a two-year, industry-wide inquiry into the e-commerce sector to gather data on the functioning of e-commerce markets, so as to identify possible competition concerns. This sector inquiry focuses particularly on potential barriers erected by companies to cross-border online trade in goods and services where e-commerce is most widespread (e.g. electronics, clothing and shoes), as well as in digital content.

While the European Commission intends to provide specific guidance on European e-commerce issues when it publishes its final report in 2017, early insights can be found in national competition authorities’ recent decisions, particularly in France and Germany.

In France, the French Competition Authority (FCA) announced on 18 November 2015 the closure of an investigation into the contractual practices of the sporting goods manufacturer Adidas, as a result of Adidas’ change in its online sales policy.

This FCA investigation, which had been carried out in coordination with the German Bundeskartellamt (BKA), centered on the company’s restriction of online sales for its selective distributors. The conditions for online sales, which were introduced in 2012, included restrictions on retailers from selling via large online platforms such as eBay and Amazon Marketplace.

(more…)

The Case of Ophthalmic Drugs in Italy and France: A Lesson to Learn – Parallel Antitrust Investigations and Cooperation Between National Competition Authorities

by Jacques Buhart and Martino Sforza | May 7, 2014 | French Developments, Healthcare Antitrust, Italian Developments

The recent investigations into two pharmaceutical companies active in the ophthalmic drugs market in Italy and France serve as a reminder of the cooperation that takes place between national competition authorities. International groups should therefore take into account all the jurisdictions where they have a presence or do business when developing their antitrust audit and compliance programmes.

Read the full article.

French Competition Authority Opinion on Car Repair and Maintenance

by Emily Townsend | Oct 17, 2012 | French Developments

by Jacques Buhart and Lionel Lesur

The French competition authority (FCA) released on 8 October 2012 an opinion in relation to the car repair and maintenance sector. The opinion is the result of a public consultation that was launched in Spring 2011.

The opinion, which is more than 200 pages long and available only in French, contains several statements and proposals aimed at increasing competition in the car repair and maintenance sector that may have substantial implications for market participants.

In response to the opinion, the French Minister of Industrial Renewal, Arnaud Montebourg, said that while the French Government will consider the FCA’s proposals, keeping prices low for consumers is not currently a top priority. It can therefore be assumed that the French Government will not be making significant changes to legislation imminently. The opinion may, however, have some immediate implications for the sector.

To read the full article, click here.

FCA’s New Policy Provides Strong Incentives For Compliance Program Adoption

by McDermott Will & Emery | Feb 13, 2012 | French Developments

by Lionel Lesur and Louise-Astrid Aberg

Following up on our prior post, on February 10, 2012, the French Competition Authority (FCA) published the final version of its framework document on compliance programs and of its Notice relating to settlements.

First, the FCA decided that the Notice of Settlement would have the legal status of a "directive" under French administrative case law. Consequently, the Notice of Settlement is legally binding on the FCA and fully enforceable against it, except if the FCA explains in its decision the specific circumstances or any reason of general interest commanding it to adopt another solution.

Second, for the Notice of Settlement, the FCA decided to relax its initial rule preventing the cumulating of a settlement reduction and a leniency reduction. The FCA adopted this principle, first put forward in the laundry detergents cartel decision (December 8, 2011), that states companies may cumulate both reductions when significant procedural efficiencies are expected from such a cumulation of both procedures. In particular, this could occur when the objections notified to a party differ from the cartel described by the party in its leniency application. Settling parties may benefit from a 10 percent fine reduction.

In addition, parties settling with the FCA can decide to adopt behavioral or structural remedies that will enable them to benefit from an additional reduction between 5 percent and 15 percent. For cartels, parties can benefit from a reduction of up to 10 percent if they commit to changing their behavior in the future, in particular, by implementing a compliance program.

The framework document on compliance programs maintains that the mere existence of a compliance program will not, in principle, be considered as a mitigating circumstance by the FCA when imposing a fine. However, an important exception to this principle has been added to the draft document for cases other than cartels, e.g. an abuse of a dominant position or a vertical restraint. In these cases, companies with a compliance program that, through their own volition, immediately ends anti-competitive behavior upon discovery through their compliance program – that is, before any inspection or investigation is conducted by a competition authority – may claim the program as a mitigating circumstance if the FCA decides to take action against the company. Consequently, in cases other than cartels, the existence of a compliance program may now, under some conditions, be considered as a mitigating circumstance by the FCA when imposing a fine. It remains to be seen how widely the FCA will apply this new rule and what will be the rate of reduction.

The FCA’s new policy may thus provide strong incentives for companies to implement compliance programs.

Click here to read The Notice of Settlement (in French), here to read the framework document on compliance programs (in French) and here to read the press release (in English).

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