ACCC/NZCC Cooperation protocol for mergers review

The Cooperation Protocol for Merger Review is designed to assist cooperation in merger review between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) consistent with the Australian and New Zealand governments’ shared objective of streamlining the trans-Tasman business environment.

The ACCC and NZCC believe that this Cooperation Protocol for Merger Review is desirable to reduce compliance costs for businesses, transaction costs for the agencies and to increase the effectiveness of competition laws.

The ACCC and the NZCC will seek to apply this protocol to the greatest possible extent, consistent with their priorities, aims, functions and respective laws, interests and enforcement responsibilities, when they:

• review the same merger transaction
• exchange information for use in a merger review being conducted by either agency, or
• otherwise exchange information with the aim of assisting the respective agencies in carrying out their merger review processes and functions.

The Cooperation Protocol for Merger Review came into effect on 7 August 2006 following agreement between ACCC Chairman, Graeme Samuel and NZCC Chair, Paula Rebstock.

For further information on this protocol, please contact the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502 or email mergers@accc.gov.au.