There have been a number of developments in merger control in 2020 and Q1 2021. Some are related to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, while others are borne out of the ambitions and changes sought by individual competition authorities or unexpected jurisprudence

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the ensuing lockdown measures—along with some landmark judgments— have led the European Commission's Directorate General for Competition to reflect on its approach to merger control notifications and reviews

The most important development at the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is its increased focus on procedural infringements, a trend that has also been visible in other jurisdictions and the EU