English-language access to BCA merger decisions — Belgian competition law made searchable
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA, or Autorité belge de la Concurrence / Belgische Mededingingsautoriteit) is Belgium's independent national competition authority, established in its current form in 2013. It reviews mergers with a Belgian dimension and enforces Belgian competition law, which is closely aligned with EU competition rules. Belgium's strategic position as home to EU institutions, combined with its highly internationalised economy, means BCA market definitions frequently address cross-border markets relevant to broader European M&A. Decisions are published in French and Dutch.
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) is Belgium's independent national competition authority, established in 2013. It enforces the Belgian Act on the Protection of Economic Competition (APEC) and reviews mergers where the combined Belgian turnover of the parties exceeds €100m and at least two parties each have Belgian turnover above €40m.
BCA merger decisions are published in French and Dutch only, reflecting Belgium's official languages. CuriAI indexes and makes searchable the market definition content from BCA decisions, enabling English-speaking lawyers to access Belgian competition law precedents without translation.
Transactions meeting EU Merger Regulation thresholds fall under the European Commission's one-stop-shop jurisdiction and are not reviewed by the BCA. Transactions below EU thresholds that meet Belgian domestic turnover criteria must be notified to the BCA. Belgium has also been an active user of Article 22 EUMR referrals to send certain transactions to the Commission.
The BCA is particularly active in food and grocery retail, media and press distribution, financial services, logistics and distribution, and professional services. Belgium's role as a European logistics hub means BCA market definitions for distribution and transport are widely cited.