ANTITRUST

IP/99/685 ANTITRUST CASE

The European Commission has approved the REIMS II agreement between 16 European postal operators on terminal dues, i.e. the remuneration for the costs of delivering cross-border mail in the country of destination. The agreement is part of the ongoing restructuring process in the postal sector which will lead to prices reflecting more properly the actual cost structures in this industry. The agreement is also necessary for the ongoing liberalisation of the sector. In its decision the Commission has imposed safeguards for consumers against possible negative effects of the agreement. By linking increases in terminal dues to improvements in the quality of service, the REIMS II Agreement produces a strong incentive for the parties to improve their performance. A better quality of service for cross-border mail, would also be beneficial towards consumers.

MERGERS

MERGERS WINTERTHUR- COLONIAL M 1989

IP/00/603

Brussels, 13 June 2000

Commission clears the acquisition of Colonial by Winterthur Life.

The European Commission has approved the acquisition of UK based company Colonial Plc by Winterthur Life (UK) Holdings, which is part of the Credit Suisse Group, under the Community's merger control rules. The parties overlap mainly in the provision of life assurance and pensions in the UK, but this did not give rise to any competition concerns.The acquisition notified to the European Commission involves the purchase of the entire share capital of Colonial (UK) Plc by Winterthur Life (UK) Holdings.

CARTELS

IP/09/1695

Brussels, 11 November 2009

The European Commission has imposed a total of € 173 860 400 fines on 24 companies from 10 different undertakings – Akzo, Baerlocher, Ciba, Elementis, Elf Aquitaine (Arkema France), GEA, Chemson, Faci, Reagens and AC Treuhand – for violating the EC Treaty’s ban on cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 81). Chemtura Corporation participated but was not fined