August Antitrust and Competition Bulletin: Five Global Developments to Watch

Sidley’s August Antitrust and Competition Bulletin examines five developments shaping merger review, private antitrust litigation, and regulatory investigations in the United States and Europe. Among them, the U.S. Department of Justice has revived an expedited “quick look” process for certain Second Requests, the European Commission is considering targeted simplifications to the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, and private plaintiffs are advancing information-sharing claims involving common pricing and data platforms.

The bulletin also discusses an EU General Court ruling confirming the breadth of the European Commission’s power to obtain business communications—including messages on personal devices used for work—and the Federal Trade Commission’s successful challenge to Henkel’s proposed acquisition of A-Paint. Together, these developments underscore the importance of early transaction planning, careful controls around competitively sensitive information, and preparedness for expansive regulatory demands.

Read the full bulletin for the key takeaways and practical implications for businesses.

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