Consumer Protection

EU Merger Decisions: Waste Collection Recovery Disposal Activities

The European Commission's competition-cases portal displays 3 merger cases under Council Regulation 139/2004 for economic activity E.38 (waste collection, recovery and disposal activities, NACE Rev. 2.1). Cases include: EFMS/DESOTEC merger (M.12272, simplified procedure, decision 17.03.2026, notification 23.02.2026); TAI/LGESMI/GREEN METALS BATTERY INNOVATIONS JV (M.12114, simplified, Art. 6(1)(b) decision 12.11.2025); and MEIF 7/BCI/RENEWI merger (M.11904, simplified, Art. 6(1)(b) decision 19.05.2025). All three were processed under the simplified merger procedure.

CMA Steps Up Monitoring of Petrol and Diesel Prices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced plans to accelerate monitoring of UK petrol and diesel prices in response to the Middle East conflict. Firms operating thousands of fuel stations nationwide have been put on formal notice that data requirements for revenue, costs, and sales information will be brought forward, enabling the CMA to assess fuel margins and examine 'rocket and feather' pricing patterns. The CMA will publish an update on pricing behaviour as soon as possible and will call out any evidence of businesses exploiting the situation.

DigitalBridge / TCGL / County Broadband / Freedom Fibre / Truespeed Merger M.12352

The European Commission granted unconditional clearance to the proposed concentration combining DigitalBridge, TCGL, County Broadband, Freedom Fibre, and Truespeed under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation 139/2004. The decision was issued on 12 March 2026 following notification on 18 February 2026, with a provisional deadline of 25 March 2026. The parties operate in K.61 - Telecommunication economic activities under NACE Rev. 2.1 classification. The clearance with no conditions indicates the Commission found no competition concerns at Phase I review.

Bridgepoint / Polaris Management / PDSVision Merger M.12305

The European Commission notified case M.12305 on 18 February 2026 concerning the proposed acquisition of PDSVision by Bridgepoint and Polaris Management. The Commission issued a decision under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 on 12 March 2026, clearing the concentration at Phase 1 without raising competition concerns. The transaction involves economic activities classified under NACE Rev. 2.1 code J.58.2 (Software publishing).

M.12248: SBG / ABB Robotics Merger Clearance Decision

The European Commission received a merger notification from SBG and ABB Robotics on 13 February 2026 under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 and cleared the proposed concentration via simplified procedure on 11 March 2026. The Commission determined under Article 6(1)(b) that the transaction does not raise competition concerns and is compatible with the internal market, with a provisional deadline of 20 March 2026. The economic activities involved fall under NACE Rev. 2.1 code C.28.99 (Manufacture of other special-purpose machinery n.e.c.).

I Squared / Ramudden Merger Cleared Under Article 6(1)(b)

The European Commission has cleared the proposed merger between I Squared and Ramudden under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation 139/2004. The decision was issued on 12 March 2026, with notification received on 18 February 2026 and a provisional deadline of 25 March 2026. The transaction involves economic activities in the manufacture of fabricated metal products, specialized construction activities in civil engineering, and service activities incidental to land transportation.

ACCC News Updates on Enforcement, Competition, and Consumer Issues

ACCC publishes its news centre index listing 9,646 media releases and updates across 30 topic categories including competition and exemptions (2,756 items), compliance and enforcement (3,049 items), and petrol and fuel (236 items). Recent entries shown from March 2026 cover emergency fuel pricing meetings, card surcharge compliance monitoring for Hyatt hotels, anti-scam fusion cell reports, airport infrastructure monitoring, and proposed competition exemptions for the Uniting Church and Countrywide Australasia.

Competition and Consumer Enforcement News Updates

The ACCC has published its latest media releases covering fuel price monitoring, consumer protection enforcement, and market scrutiny activities. Recent items include emergency fuel market meetings to address rapid price spikes and regional supply issues, card surcharge compliance monitoring at Hyatt hotels, anti-scam fusion cell operations targeting romance fraud, and airport infrastructure cost reporting. The listing reflects ongoing ACCC surveillance and enforcement across Australian consumer markets and regulated sectors.

SCDCA March Events Cover Crypto Scams, Shredding, AI Safety

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) has announced an expanded calendar of consumer protection events throughout March 2026 to mark National Consumer Protection Week (March 1-7). The program includes a cryptocurrency scam press conference and webinar (March 4), a law enforcement training on cryptocurrency and elder fraud (March 5), four free shred events across the state (March 9, 11, 17, 31), and seven educational webinars covering topics including HOAs and the law, state and federal privacy laws, data breaches, AI scams, and FTC Safeguards Rule updates. SCDCA is partnering with AARP South Carolina, Shred360, and state legislators for the initiative.

Carr Secures Over $50 Million for Georgia Consumers and Taxpayers in 2025

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's Consumer Protection Division secured over $50 million in savings and restitution for consumers and taxpayers in 2025 alone, bringing total recoveries since 2016 to over $1.6 billion. Notable enforcement actions included terminating all contracts between MV Realty and more than 3,300 Georgia homeowners, shutting down a deceptive cancer charity scheme that took over $900,000 from donors, and penalizing price gougers during Hurricane Helene. Settlements from fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 resulted in $19,303,087.63 in payments to the State Treasury.

Italian Competition Authority Launches Quantum Computing Market Investigation

AGCM has launched a market investigation into the Quantum Computing sector and a concurrent public consultation seeking stakeholder input on competition concerns. The investigation addresses barriers to entry, lock-in risks, and technological pre-emption risks given rapid patent filings. The Authority cites the blurred boundaries between hardware and software in QC compared to traditional computing, and notes concerns observed with AI adoption. Stakeholders may submit feedback in Italian or English until 30 April 2026.

Leonardo / Iveco Defence Vehicles / Astra Veicoli Industriali Merger M.12158

The European Commission has cleared the proposed concentration whereby Leonardo S.p.A. would acquire sole control of Iveco Defence Vehicles S.p.A. and Astra Veicoli Industriali S.p.A. The Commission determined, under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation 139/2004, that the transaction would not raise competition concerns. The notification was submitted on 9 February 2026 with a provisional deadline of 16 March 2026.

CPSC Winter Weather Safety Tips for Generators and Heaters

CPSC published winter weather safety tips on March 16, 2026, urging Americans to protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning and fire during power outages. The guidance emphasizes that CO poisoning from gasoline-powered portable generators kills an average of nearly 100 people per year in the United States. Key recommendations include operating generators outdoors at least 20 feet from homes, installing battery-operated smoke and CO alarms on every level, keeping portable heaters at least three feet from flammable materials, and never using charcoal indoors.

Shimano Pays $11.5M Civil Penalty for Delayed Reporting of Defective Bicycle Cranksets

Shimano, Inc. of Japan and Shimano North America Holding, Inc. of Irvine, California have agreed to pay an $11.5 million civil penalty to resolve CPSC charges that the company knowingly failed to immediately report a defect in its 11-Speed Bonded Hollowtech II Bicycle Cranksets (Models Ultegra FC-6800, FC-R8000, Dura-Ace FC-9000, FC-R9100, and FC-R9100P) that could create a substantial product hazard or unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. Between 2013 and 2022, Shimano received thousands of warranty claims and dozens of injury reports including bone fractures, joint displacement, and lacerations from falls and crankset breakage. The settlement requires Shimano to maintain internal controls, enhance its compliance program, and submit annual compliance reports to CPSC. The recall of these cranksets was jointly announced on September 21, 2023.

I Squared Capital / Ramudden Merger Approved by European Commission

The European Commission has cleared I Squared Capital Advisors (US) LLC, a fund manager specialising in global infrastructure assets, to acquire sole control of Ramudden Global AB (Sweden), an international provider of temporary traffic management services. The Commission invoked the simplified merger treatment procedure under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004, concluding the operation is compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement. The decision is binding on the parties and all EU/EEA member states.

ADLC Unconditionally Clears Joint Takeover of La Vie Claire

The Autorité de la concurrence unconditionally cleared the joint takeover of La Vie Claire by Crédit Mutuel Equity and Famille Pelen & Cie under Decision 26-DCC-68. The authority concluded the transaction was not likely to harm competition because Crédit Mutuel group does not control any companies in the same markets or vertically linked markets to La Vie Claire. La Vie Claire operates in the organic food retail sector with over 300 stores under its banner in France. The transaction can proceed unconditionally.

NSW Announces Legislation to Crack Down on Property Underquoting with Heavier Penalties

The NSW Minns Labor Government will introduce legislation to increase penalties for property underquoting from $22,000 to $110,000 or three times the agent's commission, whichever is greater, and double dummy bidding penalties from $55,000 to $110,000. The proposed laws mandate a price or price guide on all property advertising, require agents to publish a Statement of Information including comparable sales and suburb median sale price, and prohibit agents from advertising a sale price lower than a previously rejected written offer or highest unsuccessful auction bid. NSW Fair Trading will receive expanded enforcement powers including the authority to require public disclosure of agent misconduct or independent valuation verification.

FTC Proposes Rule on Prenotification Negative Option Plans

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment on potential amendments to its Negative Option Rule. The FTC aims to address consumer complaints regarding recurring payments for unwanted products and services and difficulties in cancellation. Comments are due by April 13, 2026.

FTC Proposes Rule on Rental Housing Fee Practices

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding unfair or deceptive practices in rental housing fee structures. The FTC is seeking public comment on issues such as undisclosed mandatory fees and misleading advertising of rent prices.

FTC Sunshine Act Meeting Notice

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a closed meeting scheduled for March 12, 2026, to consider non-adjudicative law enforcement matters. The meeting will be closed to the public under specific exemptions outlined in the Sunshine Act.

FTC Grants Early Termination of Waiting Periods for Mergers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has granted early termination of waiting periods for several proposed mergers and acquisitions. These actions, published in the Federal Register, indicate that neither the FTC nor the Assistant Attorney General intends to take further action on these specific transactions during the review period.

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published a request for comments on its agency information collection activities. The comment period is open for 23 days, closing on April 6, 2026.

Federal Water Beads Safety Standard Takes Effect Protecting Children

The CPSC's new Federal Safety Standard for Water Beads is now in effect as of March 12, 2026. The rule mandates maximum expansion sizes to prevent ingestion blockages, sets acrylamide toxicity limits, and requires prominent warning labels on water bead products manufactured after the effective date. Water beads failing to meet the new federal standards are illegal to sell in the United States, giving CPSC officials at U.S. ports authority to intercept non-compliant shipments before they reach consumers.

DOJ and USPTO File Statement of Interest in Patent Injunctive Relief Case

The DOJ Antitrust Division and the USPTO filed a joint Statement of Interest in Collision Communications Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on February 27, 2026. The statement argues that unduly limiting a patentee's ability to seek injunctive relief undermines incentives to innovate, which are fundamental to the U.S. patent system and central to dynamic competition in the American economy. The agencies clarified they support neither party and take no position on the merits of the underlying dispute.

Roberto Garcia Villarreal Sentenced to 30 Months for Border Transmigrante Price-Fixing and Extortion

Roberto Garcia Villarreal, 59, of San Benito, Texas was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 criminal fine for his role in a conspiracy to monopolize the transmigrante forwarding agency industry near the Los Indios, Texas border. Villarreal and co-defendants fixed prices for forwarding services and operated through a centralized entity called the 'Pool' that collected revenues, limited competition, and enforced rules through monitoring and extortion fees including a per-transaction 'piso' charge. Villarreal pleaded guilty to conspiracy to fix prices and allocate the market, conspiracy to monopolize, and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion. Eight individuals have been convicted in this case, with the ringleader Carlos Martinez receiving an 11-year sentence; three co-defendants remain fugitives.

JFTC 2023 Press Releases: Merger Reviews, Cautions, and Market Studies

This index page lists 38 press releases issued by the Japan Fair Trade Commission throughout 2023, documenting competition enforcement activity including merger reviews, cartel investigations, market studies, and commitment plans. Notable entries include closure of the Adobe-Figma acquisition review, cautions issued to Logic Inc., market studies on news content distribution and EV charging services, and cease-and-desist orders against bid-rigging participants. The page provides a comprehensive overview of JFTC enforcement priorities for compliance professionals tracking Japanese competition law developments.

Japan Fair Trade Commission Press Releases 2022

The Japan Fair Trade Commission published its 2022 press release index, aggregating 27 announcements spanning January through December 2022. Releases cover enforcement actions including cease and desist orders and surcharge payment orders, merger review activity, commitment plan approvals, and international cooperation initiatives on competition policy. Individual press releases detail specific enforcement matters such as pharmaceutical procurement bidding investigations, personal computer procurement reviews, and proposed acquisitions including Microsoft/Activision Blizzard and Google/Mandiant.

JFTC Issues Cease and Desist Order to MC Data Plus

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) issued a cease and desist order to MC Data Plus, Inc. on December 24, 2024, directing the company to halt conduct found to violate Japan's Antimonopoly Act. The specific conduct and details of the violation are contained in the linked press release (https://www.jftc.go.jp/en/pressreleases/yearly-2024/December/241224.html). JFTC press releases are described as tentative translations of the original Japanese-language documents.

Japan Fair Trade Commission Press Releases 2025 Index

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) published an index of 38 press releases from calendar year 2025 covering enforcement actions, merger reviews, policy developments, and international cooperation activities. Key items include cease and desist orders and surcharge payment orders against manufacturers of sesame oil, roasted sesame seed, parking systems, and railway inspection service bidders; merger reviews for SUMITOMO CHEMICAL/Prime Polymer, Imabari Shipbuilding/Japan Marine United, ANA/Nippon Cargo Airlines, SYNOPSYS/ANSYS, and Kubota/Nippon Chutetsukan; commitment plan approvals for LOPIA, DUNLOP TYRE JAPAN, Visa, and SYSMEX; a warning to Nippon Professional Baseball Organization; and cooperation arrangements with the U.K. CMA, European Commission, and Bangladesh Competition Commission. No new regulatory obligations are created by this index page itself.

JFTC Investigates Microsoft for Suspected Antimonopoly Act Violation

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) announced on March 4, 2026, that it has opened an investigation into Microsoft Corporation and related entities for suspected violations of Japan's Antimonopoly Act. JFTC is simultaneously seeking information and comments from third parties as part of the inquiry. This marks an escalation of Japanese antitrust scrutiny targeting one of the world's largest technology companies.

Fair Trading Suspends Estate Agent for Misrepresentation and Disqualifies Another for Fraud

NSW Fair Trading has suspended the licence of real estate agent Deepak Bangarh for 60 days after an investigation found he misrepresented selling prices, failed to substantiate estimated selling prices, and did not pass all purchase offers to vendors. In a separate case, NSW Fair Trading cancelled the licence of John Kim of Epping Real Estate and disqualified him for five years after investigators established he misappropriated approximately $300,000 in trust monies from two property deposits. Both matters remain under active investigation.

Former Real Estate Agent Dean Norburn Prosecuted for Fraud

NSW Fair Trading prosecuted former real estate agent Dean Norburn for dishonestly obtaining $305,053.13 by deception while managing a property in Elizabeth Bay. At Parramatta Local Court on 27 February 2026, Mr Norburn was convicted of one offence under section 192E of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and sentenced to an 18-month Intensive Corrections Order, 300 hours of community service, ordered to pay $100,000 compensation to the Property Services Compensation Fund, and $500 in professional costs. The court emphasised the breach of trust, sustained period of deception, and need for both general and specific deterrence within the real estate sector.

NSW Fair Trading Suspends Real Estate Licence After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

NSW Fair Trading has suspended the real estate licence of Anthony Di Nardo for 60 days, effective 10 March 2026, after a Show Cause notice was served relating to allegations of indecent assault, sexual touching, sexual assault, and stalking. A response to the notice is required by 23 March 2026. The criminal matter is being investigated by NSW Police and is before the courts, separate from this regulatory action.

NSW Fair Trading Suspends Strata Agent Christine Ng Licence Pending Investigation

NSW Fair Trading has suspended the licence of strata managing agent Christine Ng over alleged conduct including failure to pay significant sums of money into an approved trust account, appointing an individual to a strata office without their consent, failing to comply with a notice to produce documents, and breaching rules of conduct including failure to act in a client's best interests. Ms Ng has been issued with a Show Cause Notice and must respond to the allegations by 25 March 2026, during which time she is prohibited from conducting business as a real estate or strata managing agent. Disciplinary action is published on the Name and Shame Register, a publicly accessible search tool for researching disciplinary action against licensed real estate agents and strata managing agents.

Hyatt Hotels in Australia Change Card Payment Surcharge Practices Following ACCC Investigation

Hyatt hotels in Australia have implemented technological and policy changes to differentiate debit and credit card surcharges following an ACCC investigation into Hyatt Regency Sydney. The ACCC found that debit card surcharges were being applied at rates above Hyatt's actual costs of acceptance unless customers inserted their card and manually selected 'chq/sav', in breach of the Competition and Consumer Act. All Hyatt hotels in Australia have now updated their payment systems so that debit and credit cards are treated differently regardless of how the card interacts with the terminal. The ACCC has been actively monitoring business compliance with card payment surcharging laws and expects all businesses to ensure payment systems and staff apply correct surcharge amounts for each card type.

ACCC Intensifies Fuel Market Scrutiny Amid Middle East Crisis

The ACCC announced urgent action to scrutinise fuel pricing during the Middle East crisis, citing consumer concerns about sudden petrol and diesel price spikes and diesel distribution issues in regional and rural Australia. The ACCC will commence weekly market updates for transparency and has called an emergency meeting with fuel retailers, inviting consumer representatives to participate. The ACCC wrote to petrol retailers last week seeking explanations for price increases and expects responses by end of day. The ACCC also welcomes government plans to double maximum penalties for fuel company breaches from $50 million to $100 million and will seek maximum penalties in any court cases.

ACCC Requests Explanations from Major Fuel Retailers on Rapid Price Increases

The ACCC published its first weekly fuel price monitoring update covering the period 20 February to 11 March 2026, reporting highly variable petrol and diesel price increases across Australian capital cities during the current Middle Eastern conflict. Perth recorded the largest average retail petrol price increase at 59.5 cents per litre, while Sydney experienced the largest diesel increase at 67.8 cents per litre. The ACCC wrote to eight major fuel companies — 7-Eleven, Ampol, bp, Chevron, Mobil, United Petroleum, Viva Energy, and EG Australia — requesting urgent explanations for widely varying and rapid price increases, with follow-up meetings scheduled for next week. The ACCC stated it will take enforcement action for misleading or deceptive conduct or breaches of competition laws and will seek the highest penalties available under Australian Consumer Law.

Australia's Major Airports Infrastructure Investment Up 43.6% in 2024-25

Australia's four largest airports—Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney—collectively invested $1.5 billion in aeronautical facilities in 2024-25, a 43.6 per cent increase over the prior financial year, with major construction works now underway at all four sites. The airports have proposed spending nearly $20 billion on infrastructure projects over the next decade. The ACCC warns that large capital programs are likely to place upward pressure on airport charges paid by airlines, which may result in higher airfares for passengers as costs are recouped.

ACCC Monitors Petrol Prices Amid Middle East Conflict

The ACCC has commenced active monitoring of Australian fuel markets in response to price volatility linked to the Middle East conflict, writing directly to major fuel companies to communicate pricing expectations under the Australian Consumer Law. The watchdog has warned retailers that making false or misleading statements attributing price increases to international factors would constitute a breach, and that it will not hesitate to pursue enforcement action if representations contravene competition and consumer laws. The ACCC's December 2025 quarterly report found average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities rose 1.6 cpl to 180.4 cpl, while annual 2025 average prices of 179.3 cpl remained 8.7 cpl lower than 2024.

Pascal Lagrue Appointed to French Competition Authority Board

Pascal Lagrue has been appointed to the Board of the Autorite de la concurrence by decree of the President of the French Republic dated 27 February 2026. He replaces David Rousset on the 17-member Board, which comprises a President, four Vice-Presidents serving full-time, and 12 non-permanent members drawn from the public and private sectors including judges, professors, economic leaders, and representatives of professional and consumer organisations.

ADLC Fines BTP Sud €148,094 for Dominant Position Abuse in Wallis and Futuna Aggregates Market

The Autorité de la concurrence has fined BTP Sud €148,094 (17,672,351 CFP) for abusing its dominant position in the aggregates supply market of Wallis and Futuna between 21 June 2021 and 30 September 2023. BTP Sud, the only quarry operator in the Territory, unilaterally terminated its 2018 public procurement contract in June 2021 and subsequently imposed price increases of approximately 75% in February 2022, which the Administration Supérieure du Territoire was forced to accept in the absence of competing suppliers. The Autorité found no economic justification for the price increases, which were designed to coerce the Administration into granting concessions related to a prior commercial dispute under a 2015 coastal protection contract.

Italian Competition Authority Opens High-Speed Rail Market with Third Operator Entry

The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has made binding the commitments offered by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A. (RFI) following an investigation launched in March 2025 into possible abuse of dominant position concerning RFI's procedures for allocating capacity on the high-speed rail network. The investigation examined whether these procedures hindered access to national rail infrastructure and entry of new operators into the high-speed passenger transport market under Article 102 TFEU. To resolve the competition concerns, RFI must now guarantee a new entrant a minimum of 18 train paths on high-speed routes (Turin/Milan/Rome and Turin/Milan/Venice) with stability for ten years, amend its Network Statement to align with European competition principles, and implement a transitional framework granting priority to new entrants in capacity allocation.

Strabag Acquisition of Stumpp Group Cleared with Condition Precedent

The Bundeskartellamt has cleared Strabag AG's acquisition of the Stumpp group subject to a condition precedent requiring Stumpp to sell its asphalt mixing plant in Zimmern to an independent third party before the merger is implemented. Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt, stated that without conditions, the merger would make Strabag a dominant provider in the regional market for roller-compacted asphalt, accounting for nearly half of sales between Stuttgart and Lake Constance. The decision is not yet final and may be appealed to the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.

23rd International Conference on Competition 2026

The Bundeskartellamt announced its 23rd International Conference on Competition (IKK) to be held from 11 to 13 March 2026 in Berlin. The biennial conference is described as one of the most important events in competition law and policy worldwide, bringing together high-ranking representatives from competition authorities, the judiciary, politics, academia, the legal profession, and the business world. The conference will feature keynote speeches from figures including Professor Stephan Harbarth (President of the Federal Constitutional Court), Teresa Ribera (Executive Vice-President at the European Commission), and representatives from the US Department of Justice Antitrust Division.