EU merger reviews at a glance outlook

BRUSSELS (AFX) - The following mergers and joint venture agreements have been notified to the European Commission for regulatory clearance. RECENT NOTIFICATIONS -Proposed acquisition by Inchcape Plc of Lind Automotive Group Ltd (Candidate for simplified procedure; Deadline June 14) PHASE ONE INVESTIGATIONS May 12 -Proposed acquisition by Korsnas AB of AssiDoman Cartonboard Holding AB May 19 -Proposed acquisition by Lottomatica SpA of GTECH Holdings Group -Proposed acquisition by Charterhouse Capital of Elior -Proposed acquisition by Axalto of GemPlus May 23 -Proposed acquisition by Ferrovial Infraestructuras SA, Caisse de Depot et placement de Quebec and GIC Special Investments Ltd of BAA Plc -Proposed acquisition by Orica Investments Ltd of parts of Dyno Nobel ASA May 24 -Proposed acquisition by Bayer AG of Schering AG May 29 -Proposed acquisition by BASF AG of Degussa AG's Construction Chemicals -Proposed acquisition by the Carlyle Group's Petroplus International NV of European Petroleum Holdings NV -Proposed acquisition by Apollo Group of Akzo Nobel's Inks and Adhesives Resins business -Proposed acquisition by Agravis Raiffeisen AG and BayWa AG of Dr Grauss AG (Candidate for simplified procedure) May 31 -Proposed acquisition by L'Oreal SA of The Body Shop International Plc -Proposed acquisition by Investcorp Group of Orefi Participation (Candidate for simplified procedure) June 1 -Proposed acquisition by Veolia Transport of Societe Nationale Corse Mediterranee -Proposed joint venture between Bayerngas and Deutsche Essent to create Novogate (Candidate for simplified procedure) June 2 -Proposed joint venture between Campina BV and Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd to create Fonterra Excipients -Proposed acquisition by SKF AB of SNFA SAS -Proposed acquisition by CVC Capital Partners of De Weide Blik NV and Bocchi Holding BV -Proposed acquisition by Carlyle Europe Partners and Providence Equity Offshore Partners of Nordic Broadband Services AB June 6 -Proposed acquisition by EQT IV Ltd of part of Select Service Partner and all of Create Host Services, belonging to the Compass Group Plc (Candidate for simplified procedure) -Proposed acquisition by Macquarie Bank Limited, Westscheme Proprietary Ltd, Statewide Superannuation Fund Proprietary Ltd, Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Proprietary Ltd -Proposed acquisition by Australian Retirement Fund Proprietary Ltd of Moto UK, belonging to the Compass Group Plc (Candidate for simplified procedure) -Proposed acquisition by Linde AG of BOC Group Plc June 7 -Proposed acquisition by Mittal of Arcelor June 9 -Proposed acquisition by Nippon Sheet Glass Co Ltd of Pilkington Plc June 12 -Proposed acquisition by ABN Amro Capital France and ABN Amro Capital BO Funds BV of NextiraOne Europe Holdings BV (Candidate for simplified procedure) June 14 -Proposed acquisition by Inchcape Plc of Lind Automotive Group Ltd (Candidate for simplified procedure) June 15 -Proposed joint venture between Mitsui and Co and Royal Vopak for tank terminal activities in United States and Canada (Candidate for simplified procedure) June 19 -Proposed acquisition by Gaz de France of Suez The commission launches first-phase inquiries into all deals that meet EU merger thresholds. These inquiries last one month, but are extended by two weeks when companies offer remedies or when a national competition authority asks to rule on the deal. A deal that is not expected to raise competition concerns may be submitted as a candidate for the EU's simplified merger procedure, a reduced regulatory process. The commission is entitled to transform a simplified inquiry into a full first-phase inquiry. IN-DEPTH SECOND PHASE INVESTIGATIONS June 28 -Proposed acquisition by Swiss-based Omya of JM Huber's Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) business July 12 -Proposed acquisition by Inco of Falconbridge July 28 -Proposed acquisition by China International Marine Containers Co Ltd (CIMC) of Burg Industries BV Aug 1 -Proposed acquisition by Ineos of BP's ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol unit in Dormagen, Germany Sept 15 -Proposed acquisition by Sea-Invest NV of EMO-EKOM The commission opens in-depth probes lasting up to four months if competition concerns cannot be resolved during the first-phase inquiry. [e-mail] lh/jsa COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited