Guidance documents
What guidance does the CCPC provide on merger reviews?
In the list below, you will find guidance documents on how the CCPC analyses mergers and acquisitions under the Competition Act 2002 as amended.
Mergers and acquisitions procedures
This document outlines the procedures for dealing with mergers and acquisitions notified to the CCPC. It is effective from 27 September 2023.
Access to the file procedures
This document outlines the CCPC’s procedures for providing access to its file by merging parties. It is effective from 27 September 2023.
Merger notification form
This document is a tool to give effect to the obligation on the undertakings involved to provide “full details” of a proposed merger, acquisition or joint venture to the Commission. It is effective from 27 September 2023.
CCPC guidelines for merger analysis
This document sets out key elements of the Commission’s approach to analysing mergers and acquisitions notified to it.
These guidelines are currently under review. You can read about our consultation on merger guidelines to inform this review.
Notice in respect of certain terms used in Part 3 of the Competition Act
This Notice outlines the CCPC’s understanding of certain terms used in Part 3 of the 2002 Act, as amended by the 2014 Act. However, this Notice is not, and does not purport to be, an interpretation of the law.
Simplified merger notification procedure guidelines
This document sets out the CCPC’s simplified procedure for certain notifiable mergers or acquisitions that clearly do not raise competition concerns in Ireland.
Communications policy in relation to mergers
This document provides information on the CCPC’s communications policy in relation to mergers, including how it publicises mergers which have been implemented before a determination has been provided by the CCPC.
Pre-merger notification discussions
This document sets out the CCPC’s guidance on pre-notification merger discussions.
Contact us
For issues not covered by the above guidance documents, please contact the Mergers Division by emailing mergers@ccpc.ie.
European cooperation on mergers
The heads of European national competition authorities and the European Commission agreed a set of best practices entitled Best Practices on Co-operation between EU National Competition Authorities in Merger Review. The best practices aim to foster co-operation and sharing of information between national competition authorities (such as the CCPC) in the European Union for mergers that do not qualify for review by the European Commission but require clearance in several member states.
CCPC guidelines for determining economic and sub-sector codes
These guidelines explain how the CCPC assigns economic sector and sub-sector codes to mergers using a structured, top‑down approach based on a company’s main industry and its specific products or services.
This ensures consistency with accepted EU sector definitions, which should be of particular benefit to legal practitioners using the mergers website for research.
