Sources with inside knowledge of the situation reveal that European companies are increasingly turning to acquisitions to scale up their operations, thereby bolstering their competitiveness against counterparts from outside the EU. This strategic move is anticipated to heighten the prospects of securing regulatory clearance for pan-European transactions. The European Commission is set to overhaul the 2004 merger regulations, aiming to provide clearer guidelines on approval criteria. A draft of these revised rules is slated for release in spring, allowing for public feedback prior to their enactment.

At present, businesses are advocating for more lenient regulations to streamline their expansion efforts. Concurrently, regulators are keen on fostering pan-European mergers and acquisitions. When assessing transactions, the emphasis will be placed on five key benefits, notably innovation and sustainability. This shift in focus is expected to simplify the approval process for companies, as they can underscore their commitment to innovation to facilitate clearance.