Merger control is a key component of competition regimes as it prevents harm from anti-competitive transactions. To ensure effective and transparent merger control, merger review systems should be equipped with efficient procedures to make well-reasoned decisions while keeping flexibility to address changing market realities.
The digitalisation of the economy as well as the need to account for dynamic competition and innovation are examples of how market realities and businesses are evolving.
Following our joint event held in January 2026, the OECD and European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) are coming together again to continue the discussion or merger control by deepening the analysis and focusing on emerging challenges and policy priorities on topics such as efficiencies, scale, market power and merger control in dynamic settings.
A key highlight will be the discussion on the Draft of the new EU Merger Guidelines, currently under review and set for adoption by the end of 2026, alongside other pressing challenges in the field. The event will provide a unique platform to engage with senior DG COMP and OECD officials on the ongoing reform of merger control in the EU and beyond.
The event aims to foster continued dialogue among policymakers, practitioners, and academics on how evolving frameworks and global practices continue shaping the future of merger control.
