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Countrywide Australasia Authorized to Collectively Bargain with Suppliers

ACCC granted authorization to Countrywide Australasia Limited, enabling it and its members (independent foodservice distributors) to collectively negotiate trade terms including price with suppliers. The authorization is valid until 7 May 2031. ACCC determined the authorized conduct is likely to result in minimal, if any, public detriments that are outweighed by associated public benefits.

FOI Log March 2026 Published by UK Serious Fraud Office

The UK Serious Fraud Office published its Freedom of Information log for March 2026, providing responses to FOI requests received during that period. The log contains seven documented FOI releases (references 2026-011 through 2026-020), with linked PDF documents ranging from 1 to 7 pages each. This transparency publication applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Uniting Church in Australia Insurance Authorization

On 15 April 2026, the ACCC issued a final determination granting authorization to The Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly (UCANA). The authorization enables UCANA and other participants to make and give effect to the Uniting Church in Australia National Insurance Program Co-Operation Agreement for 6 years. The ACCC considers that the conduct is likely to result in a public benefit that would outweigh any likely public detriment.

New Caledonia Competition Authority Publishes Decisions as Open Data

The New Caledonia Competition Authority (ACNC), in cooperation with the French Competition Authority (ADLC), announces that its entire body of decisional practice—nearly 300 decisions and opinions—is now available as open data on data.gouv.nc. This initiative strengthens transparency and access to public action while supporting a better understanding of competition law in New Caledonia. The data is centralized and structured to enhance predictability of economic practices for businesses, legal practitioners, researchers, and students.

Eight Companies Fined PLN 2.6M for Payment Backlogs

Since early 2026, the President of UOKiK has issued eight decisions imposing fines totalling over PLN 2.6 million on companies with payment backlogs exceeding PLN 200 million. Affected companies operate in pharmaceutical, industrial, freight forwarding, and construction sectors. The authority has also initiated seven new proceedings against other companies and sent disciplinary notices to 69 businesses as part of its enforcement strategy.

ACCC Investigating Retailers for Misleading Black Friday Sales Claims

The ACCC has commenced several investigations into retailers following a sweep of 50 retailers during Black Friday sales, finding that approximately half made concerning claims. The investigations focus on potentially misleading countdown timers that falsely created urgency and 'sitewide' sale claims with undisclosed exclusions buried in fine print. The ACCC previously took enforcement action against Michael Hill, MyHouse, and Hairhouse Online for similar misleading 'sitewide' sales claims.

CCS Clears GlobalFoundries Acquisition of Advanced Micro Foundry

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) has cleared the completed acquisition of Advanced Micro Foundry Pte. Ltd. (AMF) by GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd., finding no substantial lessening of competition in the market for foundry services for pluggable transceivers in Singapore. CCS assessed that the parties are not the closest competitors, several viable alternative suppliers exist, and the combined market share remains low.

Bowser Busters Compliance Blitz on NSW Petrol Stations

NSW Fair Trading's Bowser Busters fuel price compliance program has conducted over 2,300 field inspections and re-inspections covering approximately 90% of NSW since March 18, 2026, issuing over 140 Penalty Infringement Notices. Over 90 PINs were issued by field inspectors for price mismatches, failures to comply with information requirements, and unregistered service stations, while Bowser Busters-supported inspectors issued an additional 57 PINs including 56 for price mismatching. Penalties include on-the-spot fines of $1,100 and court penalties up to $110,000.

MEF / Retelit / Telecom Italia Sparkle Merger Phase 1

The European Commission registered merger case M.11992 involving MEF, Retelit, and Telecom Italia Sparkle for Phase 1 investigation under Council Regulation 139/2004. The case concerns wired, wireless, satellite telecommunications activities and computer consultancy/data processing services (NACE K.61-K.63). Multiple decisions recorded including two Withdrawn decisions (11.12.2025, 22.01.2026) and Article 6(1)(b) decision of 10.04.2026.

ORANGE / MASORANGE Merger - Phase 1 Decision Article 6(1)(b)

The European Commission granted clearance to the ORANGE / MASORANGE merger under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation 139/2004. The decision was issued on 10 April 2026 following a Phase 1 review under the simplified procedure. The notification was submitted on 13 March 2026 with a provisional deadline of 22 April 2026. The concentration involves wired, wireless, and satellite telecommunication activities (NACE Rev. 2.1 code K.61.10).