Reviewing our approach to assessing merger efficiencies

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The CMA investigates certain mergers and assesses how they could impact competition in the UK.

About this call for evidence

The CMA has been delivering a programme of work to embed our 4Ps framework – pace, predictability, proportionality, and process – across our merger control function. In October 2025, we published updated guidance on our approach to jurisdiction and procedure, to clarify our approach to jurisdiction and global deals. In December, we published updated guidance on our approach to merger remedies.

We are now launching a review into our approach to the assessment of rivalry-enhancing efficiencies in mergers, as part of our ongoing commitment to support growth, investment, and business confidence across the UK economy.

Rivalry-enhancing efficiencies are merger-driven improvements that boost a firm’s competitiveness. In some cases, these efficiencies can address potential competition concerns by enabling firms to offer better-quality, more innovative or lower-cost products and services – ultimately benefitting consumers.

We want to hear from you

We’re seeking your views and evidence on:

  • the CMA’s analytical approach to rivalry-enhancing efficiencies, including the types of evidence we consider and how we assess dynamic efficiencies
  • the CMA’s process for assessing rivalry-enhancing efficiencies, including how we engage with merging parties on efficiency claims

The call for evidence document includes questions on which we’re seeking input.

In addition to this call for evidence, the CMA will reach out directly to certain interested parties, including business and industry groups, and adviser firms.

We are keen to hear directly from businesses and investors as part of this call for evidence. If your business would like to be part of the CMA’s external engagement, let us know as soon as possible by emailing the address below.

How to respond

Submit your response by email to mergerefficienciesreview@cma.gov.uk by 26 February 2026.

We will publish non-confidential versions of responses. If your response contains any information that you regard as sensitive and that you would not wish to be published, provide a non-confidential version that omits that information and explain why it is sensitive.

When submitting your response, let us know if you would like to remain anonymous.

Your personal data

Any personal data you provide to us through CMA Connect (such as your name and contact details) will be handled in accordance with our obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Our personal information charter sets out the standards you can expect from us when we collect, use or share personal data and provides details of your rights in relation to that personal data and how to contact us.

The CMA investigates certain mergers and assesses how they could impact competition in the UK.

About this call for evidence

The CMA has been delivering a programme of work to embed our 4Ps framework – pace, predictability, proportionality, and process – across our merger control function. In October 2025, we published updated guidance on our approach to jurisdiction and procedure, to clarify our approach to jurisdiction and global deals. In December, we published updated guidance on our approach to merger remedies.

We are now launching a review into our approach to the assessment of rivalry-enhancing efficiencies in mergers, as part of our ongoing commitment to support growth, investment, and business confidence across the UK economy.

Rivalry-enhancing efficiencies are merger-driven improvements that boost a firm’s competitiveness. In some cases, these efficiencies can address potential competition concerns by enabling firms to offer better-quality, more innovative or lower-cost products and services – ultimately benefitting consumers.

We want to hear from you

We’re seeking your views and evidence on:

  • the CMA’s analytical approach to rivalry-enhancing efficiencies, including the types of evidence we consider and how we assess dynamic efficiencies
  • the CMA’s process for assessing rivalry-enhancing efficiencies, including how we engage with merging parties on efficiency claims

The call for evidence document includes questions on which we’re seeking input.

In addition to this call for evidence, the CMA will reach out directly to certain interested parties, including business and industry groups, and adviser firms.

We are keen to hear directly from businesses and investors as part of this call for evidence. If your business would like to be part of the CMA’s external engagement, let us know as soon as possible by emailing the address below.

How to respond

Submit your response by email to mergerefficienciesreview@cma.gov.uk by 26 February 2026.

We will publish non-confidential versions of responses. If your response contains any information that you regard as sensitive and that you would not wish to be published, provide a non-confidential version that omits that information and explain why it is sensitive.

When submitting your response, let us know if you would like to remain anonymous.

Your personal data

Any personal data you provide to us through CMA Connect (such as your name and contact details) will be handled in accordance with our obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Our personal information charter sets out the standards you can expect from us when we collect, use or share personal data and provides details of your rights in relation to that personal data and how to contact us.

Page published: 15 Jan 2026, 10:02 AM