ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF CONCENTRATION IN THE COMPETITION LAW

Avtor naloge obravnava koncept koncentracije podjetij v konkurenčnem pravu. Koncentracije podjetij so oblika integracij podjetij, ki so z vidika konkurenčnega prava zanimive predvsem zaradi negativnih učinkov na strukturo trga, zaradi česar je bil oblikovan sistem predhodnega nadzora nad koncentracijami. Temeljni predpis, ki ureja področje nadzora koncentracij, je uredba 139/2004 oziroma Uredba o nadzoru koncentracij, ki predstavlja pravno podlago za delovanje Komisije EU na področju presoje koncentracij. V diplomski nalogi obravnavamo predvsem izpolnjevanje prvega pogoja za presojo koncentracij v skladu z uredbo, in sicer da mora transakcija predstavljati koncentracijo v smislu člena 3(1) uredbe. Pravilna interpretacija tega pogoja je izjemnega pomena zaradi pravne varnosti in predvidljivosti končnih odločb, saj omogoča podjetjem udeleženim v koncentraciji, da še pred stikom s Komisijo ugotovijo ali njihove aktivnosti predstavljajo koncentracijo v smislu uredbe ali ne, od česar je odvisna tudi njihova obveznost priglasitve koncentracije. Ugotavljamo, da bi se z bolj dosledno interpretacijo pojma koncentracije, dvignila raven pravne varnosti, pri čemer se očitki nanašajo predvsem na delo Komisije, kateri lahko očitamo nedoslednost pri presoji pogojev za nastanek koncentracije v smislu uredbe.Author deals with the concept of concentrations in the competition law. Concentrations are a form of integration between undertakings, which are particularly relevant in terms of competition law, because of the negative effects they have on the market structure, which led to the creation of a system of prior notification of concentrations. The fundamental document on the control of concentrations is the EU Merger Regulation or Council Regulation No. 139/2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings, which constitutes the legal basis for the functioning of the EU Commission in the appraisal of concentrations. The diploma thesis deals primarily with the first condition necessary for a concentration to fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. This means that the transaction must constitute a concentration within the meaning of Article 3(1) of the Regulation. The correct interpretation of this condition is of utmost importance for legal certainty and predictability of the final decisions, because only then it enables the undertakings concerned to determine, prior to contact with the Commission, whether their activities will constitute a concentration within the meaning of the Regulation or not. The obligation to notify is also dependent upon such interpretation. We find, that the level of legal certainty would be improved with a more consistent interpretation of the concept of concentration. Main reproach is addressed at the work of the Commission, because of its inconsistency in assessing the conditions necessary for a concentration to fall within the scope of the Regulation