The investigation is focused on the potential impact of the proposed merger on competition, and the ACCC is seeking comments from market participants and interested parties to assist with the review.{{quote-A:R-W:450-Q:The investigation is focused on the potential impact on competition of the proposed merger and the ACCC is seeking comments to assist with the review.}}In particular, the ACCC is considering; how closely Luxottica and Essilor compete with each other in supplying various optical products and services; whether the price of relevant optical products or services would increase, or service levels decrease, as a result of the proposed merger, and; how easy it would be for the two company’s customers to switch to other suppliers of relevant optical products and services after the proposed merger.According to a publically available ail requesting industry comment on the proposed merger, the legal test which the ACCC applies is section 50 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which prohibits mergers that are likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.
The ACCC will accept comments and written submissions until 5pm on Friday August 25. The provisional date for the announcent of the ACCC’s decision is October 19.Further information about the ACCC’s review is available here.
