CCCS Revises Merger Procedure Guidelines and Review Framework

Singapore CCCS Media Releases

Published May 1st, 2026

Detected March 30th, 2026

Summary

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has revised its Merger Procedure Guidelines, effective May 1, 2026. Key changes include introducing a streamlined review track, reducing assessment periods for certain mergers, and lessening the information submission burden for parties. These updates aim to provide greater clarity and efficiency in merger reviews.

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What changed

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has finalized revisions to its Merger Procedure Guidelines, which will take effect on May 1, 2026. The amendments introduce a streamlined review track, reducing the Phase 1 assessment period from 30 to 25 working days for mergers unlikely to raise competition concerns. Additionally, the CCCS will reduce the information submission burden for merger parties and third parties, and provide earlier clarity on potential clearance decisions.

Businesses involved in mergers in Singapore must familiarize themselves with the updated guidelines by the May 1, 2026 effective date. Compliance officers should review the new procedures, particularly the streamlined track and revised information requirements, to ensure efficient and accurate submissions to the CCCS. While no specific penalties for non-compliance with the procedural changes are detailed, adherence is crucial for timely merger clearance.

What to do next

Review the revised CCS Merger Procedure Guidelines effective May 1, 2026.
Update internal M&A processes to incorporate the streamlined review track and revised information submission requirements.
Ensure all merger notifications submitted on or after May 1, 2026, adhere to the updated procedures.

Source document (simplified)

Media Releases

Revisions to CCS’s Merger Procedure Guidelines

27 March 2026

(View media release in PDF)

1. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“ CCS ”) has completed its review of proposed changes to the CCS Guidelines on Merger Procedures (“ Merger Procedure Guidelines ”). The Merger Procedure Guidelines provide guidance on the notification and investigation procedures in cases involving mergers.

2. The proposed amendments to the Merger Procedure Guidelines aim to provide greater clarity and guidance to businesses on CCS’s procedures, incorporating stakeholder feedback and reflecting both local and international regulatory developments. These amendments include:

a. Introducing a streamlined track to reduce CCS’s assessment period for mergers that are unlikely to present competition concerns from 30 working days to 25 working days for the Phase 1 review;

b. Reducing the regulatory burden on merger parties and third parties when submitting information to CCS; and

c. Providing greater clarity to merger parties at an earlier stage on whether CCS is likely to issue a clearance decision or is unlikely to clear a merger.

3. The Merger Procedure Guidelines incorporate suggestions and feedback from merger procedure stakeholders from the public consultation held between 27 October 2025 and 17 November 2025. The feedback was largely supportive of the changes. A summary of the feedback and CCS’s responses on the feedback received, is available on the CCS website at www.ccs.gov.sg.

Merger Procedure Guidelines will take effect from 1 May 2026

4. The CCS Guidelines were last updated and came into effect on 1 February 2022. The revised Merger Procedure Guidelines and consequential amendments [1] to other CCS Guidelines will come into effect on 1 May 2026. Click https://go.gov.sg/competition-guidelines to access the revised CCS Guidelines. ****

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About the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“ CCS ”) is a statutory board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Our mission is to make markets work well to create opportunities and choices for businesses and consumers in Singapore.

CCS administers and enforces the Competition Act 2004 and the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003, to guard against anti-competitive activities and unfair trade practices. Additionally, CCS ensures that businesses observe fair trade measurement practices by administering the Weights and Measures Act 1975, and ensures the supply of safe consumer goods by enforcing and implementing the Consumer Protection (Trade Descriptions and Safety Requirements) Act 1975 and its associated Regulations.

For more information, please visit www.ccs.gov.sg.

[1] Consequential changes follow from the changes to the Merger Procedure Guidelines.