Implementation of the ECN+ Directive in Belgium: Codification, Clarification and Enhanced Cooperation are Overshadowed by New Merger Filing Fees

With about a year's delay, the Belgian legislator finally adapted Belgian competition law to comply with the provisions of the ECN+ Directive. This report examines several important changes in Belgian competition law which will have significant consequences for companies (such as the enhanced investigative powers in the context of dawn raids and the expanded possibility to impose fines in the context of procedural infringements) and for individuals (such as the criminal immunity forbid-rigging). This report also provides a brief overview of the new merger lump-sum filing fees to be paid by the parties upon notification of a merger.