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Can a transaction still face merger control scrutiny even if it falls below the notification thresholds? On 23 June 2026, the European Competition Network, comprising the twenty-seven national competition authorities of the European Union and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, published a joint statement in support of call-in mechanisms in merger control, enabling these authorities to take up cases involving mergers below the notification thresholds on the grounds of their potential impact on competition. This position, which follows on from the Illumina case, demonstrates a shared commitment among European competition authorities to strengthen their capacity to examine certain merger transactions that currently fall below the traditional notification thresholds, but which may nevertheless harm competition. The ECN recognises that call-in mechanisms now provide a useful complement for dealing with certain transactions that pose a genuine competitive risk but are difficult to detect under the current rules. At the same time, it emphasises the need to regulate their use so that this mechanism remains a targeted tool, employed on a case-by-case basis. For investors and businesses planning acquisitions or mergers, the message is clear: it may no longer be enough simply to check whether turnover thresholds are met. Our article looks at the ECN’s position, the safeguards identified in the joint statement, and the practical implications for investors and businesses planning acquisitions or mergers. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e-U9iqxH Authors: Annabelle Lepièce, Tatiana Dragojevic