A major reform was introduced last year with regard to French competition rules, which had not undergone significant legislative changes since 1986. A law on the New Economic Regulations (NER) was enacted on 15 May, 2001 modifying and codifying several important changes in the French Commercial Code, including its competition rules.
The most important modification that the NER introduced into French competition law concerns concentrations. It lays down a system of compulsory notification of concentrations, which brings French law in line with European competition law and a large majority of European member states.
