Close Menu
The Elite TimesThe Elite Times
  • Home
  • Entrepreneur
  • Finance
  • Fund
  • Investment
  • Marketing
  • Stock
  • World
  • Business

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

Visionary Entrepreneur Manuel Manzoni and International Taxation Expert Marco Scardeoni Partner to Drive Global Expansion through GCC Advisors

April 16, 2024

Help comes to Fort Worth businesses affected by explosion – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

March 29, 2024

Lawmakers claim ‘irresponsible’ withdrawal from Endowment Fund proceeds to pay full dividends

March 29, 2024
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
The Elite TimesThe Elite Times
  • Home
  • Entrepreneur

    21 Great Business Ideas for Nurse Entrepreneurs

    March 27, 2024

    EY announces 18 female entrepreneurs selected for EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Asia-Pacific class of 2024 | EY

    March 27, 2024

    Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include father of three and budding entrepreneur

    March 27, 2024

    Until April 2nd, get great discounts with lifetime access to this stock market app

    March 27, 2024

    Secure and reliable project management support for $25

    March 27, 2024
  • Finance

    Rocket Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment of Aaron Ondrey as Chief Financial Officer and Additional Updates to Corporate Leadership Team

    March 26, 2024

    Reddit ignites resurgence in meme stocks, further sign of ‘bull market on all fronts’

    March 26, 2024

    Walmart stock plummets, retail giant expected to see further growth

    March 26, 2024

    Stocks soar as Wall Street looks to continue breaking records

    March 26, 2024

    Stocks soar as Wall Street looks to continue breaking records

    March 26, 2024
  • Fund

    Help comes to Fort Worth businesses affected by explosion – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

    March 29, 2024

    Lawmakers claim ‘irresponsible’ withdrawal from Endowment Fund proceeds to pay full dividends

    March 29, 2024

    The LDP slush fund scandal: What will make po

    March 29, 2024

    City of San Antonio seeks dismissal of Reproductive Justice Fund lawsuit

    March 29, 2024

    Clashes expected between Biden fundraisers and President Trump during preview visit to New York

    March 29, 2024
  • Investment

    Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) accelerates investment in humanity and accelerates AI drive

    March 28, 2024

    Recent trends in Kazakhstan’s investment situation

    March 28, 2024

    City of South Bend shares plans for Madison Lifestyle District with more than $330 million in private investment

    March 28, 2024

    OKX Ventures announces strategic investment in MyShell, a pioneer in AI-integrated Web3 technology

    March 28, 2024

    Reform of the EU Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regulation – How might M&A Transactions be impacted? | Mayer Brown

    March 28, 2024
  • Marketing

    Premium hospitality is on fire

    March 27, 2024

    S&P 500 sets record as Wall Street emerges from lull

    March 27, 2024

    DevvStream Announces Multi-Year Agreement to Sell CFR Credits with Major Logistics and Marketing Company

    March 27, 2024

    Global online dating services market by service (casual dating, matchmaking, niche dating), subscription (annual, monthly, quarterly), age group, and gender

    March 27, 2024

    Tower Federal Credit Union Receives Two CUNA Diamond Awards for Creative Excellence in Marketing

    March 27, 2024
  • Stock

    Forget Tesla: We think the ‘Magnificent Seven’ should replace this stock

    March 27, 2024

    Forget about Tesla: One of the unstoppable artificial intelligence (AI) stocks belongs to the ‘Magnificent Seven’ instead

    March 27, 2024

    2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks with Potential for Parabolic Growth

    March 27, 2024

    Mr. Powell’s comment

    March 27, 2024

    What you need to know about Trump Media’s stock debut

    March 27, 2024
  • World

    Take a look inside the New York Stock Exchange, the world’s largest stock market

    March 26, 2024

    China challenges Biden’s electric vehicle plan at World Trade Organization

    March 26, 2024

    Wolfspeed joins Senator Thom Tillis and key officials to conquer world’s largest and most advanced silicon carbide facility

    March 26, 2024

    Amy Brenneman, Raviv Ullman, Jeremy Love, cast and others in ‘Galilee’ world premiere, 34 years old

    March 26, 2024

    These beauty brands are among the most innovative companies in the world

    March 26, 2024
  • Business

    Canadian business leaders say housing should be a top federal budget priority

    March 27, 2024

    The power of mentorship in business

    March 27, 2024

    Los Angeles County business owner forced to pay damages after SWAT raid

    March 27, 2024

    Chinese President Xi meets with foreign business leaders amid economic uncertainty | Business and Economic News

    March 27, 2024

    China’s Xi Jinping meets with US business leaders in Beijing

    March 27, 2024
The Elite TimesThe Elite Times
Home»Investment»Reform of the EU Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regulation – How might M&A Transactions be impacted? | Mayer Brown
Investment

Reform of the EU Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regulation – How might M&A Transactions be impacted? | Mayer Brown

The Elite Times TeamBy The Elite Times TeamMarch 28, 2024No Comments15 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Email

[ad_1]

INTRODUCTION

On 24 January 2024, the European Commission (“Commission”) unveiled its proposals to reform the current EU Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regulation 2019/452 (“FDI Screening Regulation”). This forms part of a wider package of five initiatives to strengthen economic security in the EU following the “growing geopolitical tensions and profound technological shifts”.1 Factors such as the desire to protect critical industries and infrastructure, cybersecurity threats and other geopolitical concerns have resulted in the global proliferation of foreign direct investment reporting, screening, and review mechanisms, with the EU and its Member States playing an important part of this picture. In this context, recent news of reforms in Europe is not surprising, but likely to have a significant impact on M&A transactions in sensitive sectors. Indeed, if authorities continue their recent pattern of willingness to make use of FDI regimes to review and potentially block or impose conditions on cross-border deals, those involved in global M&A deals should take note.

FDI screening is now a major element in the planning of M&A transactions that involve target companies with operations within the EU that are active in the relevant sectors. This comes on top of the existing merger control regimes at EU and Member State level, and the newly enacted Foreign Subsidies Regulation.2 Investors must therefore navigate through a web of increasingly complex regulatory regimes when making investments in the EU.

The proposed reform of the FDI Screening Regulation (“Proposed Reform”) comes in response to the Commission’s consultation on the Regulation’s effectiveness and efficiency, which followed the OECD’s report from 2022.3 The latter addressed key shortcomings in the national FDI regimes, including in relation to:

  • the scope of the sectors subject to FDI screening;
  • the types of information to be gathered on transactions;
  • divergent timelines across the Member States; and
  • the need for a higher degree of harmonization across the EU.

The Proposed Reform seeks to go some way to addressing these points, taking a significant step towards a more harmonized and coherent application of the various FDI regimes in place within the EU. As such, as a result of these reforms, whilst in many ways we expect the process for gaining FDI clearance to be more predictable and streamlined, in practice, careful navigation will be required to ensure effective transaction planning.

REFORM PROPOSALS

The Proposed Reform aims to close apparent gaps which might arise by screening foreign investments only at national level, as compared to an EU-wide basis. At the same time, the Commission has reiterated its openness to foreign investments. In this vein the Commission underlines that foreign investments should be prohibited only exceptionally and where mitigating measures are not sufficient to address the risks to security or public order. The EU Member States will retain sole responsibility for their own national security and maintain the right to protect their essential security interests.

The Proposed Reform is an “evolution, not a revolution”4 when compared to the current FDI Screening Regulation. It is nevertheless envisaging significant changes in relation to both substantive and procedural aspects of FDI screening in the EU. Key points include:

  • all Member States must introduce an FDI regime;
  • indirect acquisitions by foreign investors must be in scope of the screening process;
  • investments in certain sectors must be screened as a minimum sectoral; and
  • the applicable timelines and co-operation procedure will be streamlined.

The revised Regulation is not expected to enter into force before 2026. Between now and then, it will work its way through the legislative process in the European Parliament and the Council, which is expected to start towards the end of 2024. After its eventual entry into force, the new regime will apply in full after a transitionary period of 15 months.

ALL MEMBER STATES MUST INTRODUCE AN FDI REGIME

The Reform introduces an obligation for all EU Member States to implement an FDI screening regime. To date, 22 out of 27 EU Member States have adopted an FDI screening regime, while other Member States are in the process of adopting such regimes or have initiated steps to do so. When the original FDI Screening Regulation started to apply 2020, only 13 Member States out of 27 had an FDI regime in place. However, given the geopolitical tensions in recent years, the outbreak of Covid-19 and the war in the Ukraine, many EU Member States followed the Commission’s guidance of 20205 and 20226, respectively, to introduce and/or update their national FDI screening mechanisms.

We expect that all EU Member States will have an FDI screening regime in place once the Proposed Reform enters into force. Nevertheless, the Commission is evidently minded to use the opportunity of these reforms to close any outstanding loopholes. It is trying to put an end to the practice of foreign investors making significant investments into Europe via a Member State with no screening mechanism in place.7

INDIRECT ACQUISITIONS BY FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE CAUGHT

A major change contemplated in the Proposed Reform is that the indirect acquisition of control over an EU target company by a foreign investor will also be subject to the FDI Screening Regulation. This change is in line with many FDI regimes at national level that already cover indirect acquisitions by foreign investors.

Under the current FDI Screening Regulation however, only the direct acquisition of control over an EU target company by a foreign investor comes within the purview of the FDI Screening Regulation, but not indirect acquisitions. What this means in practice could be recently observed when the European Court of Justice, in its Xella decision8, decided that the FDI Screening Regulation, in its current form, does not apply to direct acquirers already registered in the EU and that have economic operations in the EU, even if such acquirers are ultimately controlled by foreign entities (see more on this case below).9

The Commission has yet to define the concept of control over an EU target in the context of an FDI review. In the Proposed Reform it has continued to leave open the precise definition and whether or not it will follow the concept of control regularly applied under the EU Merger Regulation. It is hoped that as the Proposed Reform passes through the legislative procedure, we will gain more clarity on this concept. However, the Commission has already said that the FDI Screening Regulation should not cover purely:

  • financial investments that are not aimed at influencing the management and controlling the relevant target company (portfolio investments); or
  • internal restructurings, provided that there is:
    • no increase in the shares held by foreign investors, or
    • no additional rights are conferred to the investor that may lead to a de facto participation in the management or control of the target company.
MANDATORY SECTORIAL SCREENING

The current FDI Screening Regulation does not require Member States to screen investments in particular sectors. It merely stipulates that they may consider the potential effects of an investment on, inter alia, critical infrastructure (including energy, transport, water, health, communication, media, data, etc.); critical technologies and certain dual use items; the supply of critical inputs (including energy or raw materials) and food security; and access to sensitive information, etc. In this context the Commission has identified that under the current national FDI regimes there are significant differences between the sectors and activities of investors screened by the Member States. It is concerned that this might be taken advantage of as a loophole for entry by foreign investors into the EU. It therefore proposes that a minimum core of sectors become subject to mandatory FDI review. These include investments where a target company is part of, or participates in, projects or programs of Union interest, such as for example, the Space Program, Trans European Networks, European Defense Fund, etc., as set out exhaustively in Annex I of the Proposed Reform (“Annex I EU Programs”).

In addition, investments where the target is active in critical technologies and other sectors of particular importance for the security or public order of the EU listed in Annex II of the Proposed Reform are also subject to mandatory FDI screening by the Member States. These include dual-use items, military technology and equipment and artificial intelligence amongst others and are all together known as “Annex II sectors”.10

The Proposed Reform does not include any specific definitions or thresholds that would apply to some of these sectors (particularly related to technology), but which apply in certain EU Member States. Therefore, it is likely that going forward more investments will come within the purview of FDI screening than is currently the case.

In addition to the Annex II Sectors, the Member States are free to extend the list of sectors subject to their national FDI screening if they are of particular importance for their specific national security or public order. However, the screening of transactions that fall within the scope of Annex I EU Programs and certain investments into Annex II Sectors must be notified to the cooperation mechanism between the Commission and the Member States (see further below).

CRITERIA FOR SUBSTANTIVE ASSESSMENT

Another major change which might be brought about by the Proposed Reform is that a requirement on Member States to uniformly apply the test for what could constitute a risk of “public order and security”. This is key to the substantive assessment of a foreign transaction under the FDI regime. More precisely, under the FDI Screening Regulation, EU Member States are required to assess whether an FDI is “likely to affect” security or public order. This leaves the door open to varying interpretations and has led to Member States applying different standards. As a result, the screening of investments might be considered as somewhat arbitrary across the EU.

Under the Proposed Reform, the substantive test will be narrower and require that national screening authorities determine whether there is a “likely negative impact on security and public order”. To this end, they must consider in particular, aspects such as, for example:

  • the security, integrity and functioning of critical infrastructure;
  • resilience of the critical, essential and important entities as defined by the relevant European legislation;
  • availability of critical technologies;
  • continuity of supply of critical inputs; or
  • the disruption, failure, loss or destruction of assets which would have a significant impact on the security or public order in one or more Member States or the Union as a whole.

Screening authorities must also take into account information related to the foreign investor such as, for example, past investments that were not authorized or authorized only with conditions, engagement in illegal or criminal activities, pursuing policy objectives of a third country, or engaging in the development of a third country’s military capabilities. A more uniform application of the substantive test across the EU is a much welcome change. The lack of a common standard in assessing the risk for public order or security could be seen in Xella, a rare decision handed down in 2023 on the interpretation of the FDI Screening Regulation. In this case, the national authority undertaking the FDI screening prohibited the envisaged acquisition on the ground that the supply to the construction sector, in particular at the local level, with respect to basic raw materials such as gravel, sand and clay would be at risk. The European Court of Justice disagreed however, and could not find any justification that the envisaged acquisition was capable of giving rise to a “genuine and sufficiently serious threat to a fundamental interest of society”. First, the investor Xella already purchased approx. 90% of the raw materials from the target company in the past (while the remaining 10% were purchased by other local companies). Second, the raw materials have “by their very nature, a relatively low market value compared […] with their transport cost”, meaning that the risk that those materials would no longer be available locally was non-existent.

MORE STREAMLINED COOPERATION

The Proposed Reform introduces additional important procedural changes that impact transaction planning. All Member States must introduce a standstill obligation for the duration of FDI screening. This means that a transaction must not be closed without prior clearance of a mandatory FDI filing. Currently, not all EU Member States apply such a standstill obligation. In addition, transactions that have been completed but not notified can be called in up to 15 months after their completion if the relevant authority has grounds to consider that the security or public order may be affected.

The already very elaborate cooperation mechanism in place between the Commission and the Member States under the FDI Screening Regulation will likely therefore be more effective and efficient under the Proposed Reform. Member States must notify other Member States and the Commission of proposed investments in sectors involving Annex I EU Programs, and any of the Annex II Sectors subject to a mandatory FDI screening where the foreign investor is controlled by a foreign government (or subject to restrictive measures under European Union laws). These will be important changes in practice. We expect that fewer cases will be notified to the cooperation mechanism, thus giving the Commission the opportunity to focus on the key cases that may impact the Member States’ and Union’s public order or security.

Also relevant for the deal team is that transactions which are subject to simultaneous reviews in more than one Member State (“multi-country transactions”) must be filed with the relevant authorities at the same time. This will enable the cooperation mechanism between the Commission and the Member States to be triggered at the same time so as to align deadlines and procedures. Member States undertaking a screening of Annex I EU Programs or Annex II Sectors, or in cases where they consider that the transaction could be of interest to other Member States or the Commission from a security or public order perspective, will have to inform the Commission and other Member States within 15 calendar days of the relevant filing being made. Where an in-depth investigation has been initiated, such information must take place within 60 calendar days after having received the filing for screening. Member States may provide “duly motivated comments” and the Commission a “duly motivated opinion” to the Member State undertaking the screening. The latter shall give “utmost consideration” to these.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS

The Proposed Reform is a welcome step towards a more common and coordinated approach towards FDI screening at EU level. This is especially timely given the environment where parties to M&A transactions have to navigate an ever more complex regulatory web. The Proposed Reform is expected to provide more legal certainty for potential investors in critical infrastructure and other sectors of high relevance for the EU Member States and the EU as a whole, and allows for a more uniform substantive assessment of the “likely negative effects” on security or public order. Questions however remain, with clarity over key concepts such as control still outstanding.

Businesses are encouraged to pay close attention to the Proposed Reform as it moves through the EU legislative process, with chances to monitor the development of the rules in this area, and prepare accordingly. An eye should also be kept at what is going on in other jurisdictions where an FDI filing might be required. Reforms are afoot around the world and a global approach is vital.11


1 Commission, press release of 24 January 2024 “Commission proposes new initiatives to strengthen economic security”, which also includes links to the five initiatives proposed by the Commission. The other initiatives focus on enhancing coordination on export controls, identifying potential risks arising out of outbound investments, supporting research and development in respect of technologies with dual-use potential, and enhancing research security across the EU.

2 The Foreign Subsidies Regulation requires certain transactions and public procurements to be notified with the Commission (for our updates see here and here).

3 OECD report of 10 November 2022 “The Framework for the screening of foreign direct investment into the Union assessing effectiveness and efficiency”.

4 Damien Levie, Head of UnitTechnology & Security, FDI Screening” at Commission’s DG TRADE, on 30 January 2024 at an event hosted by Mayer Brown in Brussels. For the full recording of the event see here.

5 Commission’s guidance to the Member States on how to use FDI screening in times of public health crisis and economic vulnerability: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52020XC0326(03)

6 Commission’s guidance to the Member States concerning FDI from Russia and Belarus: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52022XC0406(08)

7 Commission’s Staff Working Document (2024) 23 final on the evaluation of the FDI Screening Regulation, section 3.2, available here.

8 European Court of Justice, decision of 13 July 2023, case C‑106/22 – Xella Magyarország Építőanyagipari Kft.

9 Exceptions apply where transactions are part of a scheme to circumvent the application of the Regulation, that is, if a direct EU acquirer (a subsidiary) has merely been set up by a foreign investor for the purpose of acquiring a European target company.

10 Also includes advanced semiconductors; quantum technologies; biotechnologies; advanced connectivity, navigation and digital technologies; advanced sensing technologies; space & propulsion technologies; energy technologies; robotics and autonomous systems; advanced materials, manufacturing and recycling technologies; certain critical medicines; and payment systems and institutions (altogether “Annex II Sectors”).

11 See The Increasing Importance of Foreign Direct Investment Regulation in M&A Transactions | Insights | Mayer Brown.

[View source.]

[ad_2]

Source link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleBlackRock’s BUIDL Ethereum Fund raises $245 million in one week
Next Article OKX Ventures announces strategic investment in MyShell, a pioneer in AI-integrated Web3 technology
The Elite Times Team
  • Website

Related Posts

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) accelerates investment in humanity and accelerates AI drive

March 28, 2024

Recent trends in Kazakhstan’s investment situation

March 28, 2024

City of South Bend shares plans for Madison Lifestyle District with more than $330 million in private investment

March 28, 2024
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Demo
Latest Posts

21 Great Business Ideas for Nurse Entrepreneurs

March 27, 2024

EY announces 18 female entrepreneurs selected for EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Asia-Pacific class of 2024 | EY

March 27, 2024

Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include father of three and budding entrepreneur

March 27, 2024

Until April 2nd, get great discounts with lifetime access to this stock market app

March 27, 2024
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't Miss

Boost your Pine Hills business with Upper Madison Week

By The Elite Times TeamDecember 31, 2023

[ad_1] ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Shop Upper Madison Week will ring in the new year…

New year, new taxes – Orange County Register

January 1, 2024

Cross-border cattle cooperation benefits beef businesses

January 3, 2024

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from SmartMag about art & design.

Demo
About Us
About Us

Welcome to [Your Website Name], your go-to source for comprehensive information on funds, investments, and the latest in stock news. We are dedicated to providing you with accurate, insightful, and up-to-date content to empower your financial decisions.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest YouTube WhatsApp
Our Picks

Visionary Entrepreneur Manuel Manzoni and International Taxation Expert Marco Scardeoni Partner to Drive Global Expansion through GCC Advisors

April 16, 2024

Help comes to Fort Worth businesses affected by explosion – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

March 29, 2024

Lawmakers claim ‘irresponsible’ withdrawal from Endowment Fund proceeds to pay full dividends

March 29, 2024
Most Popular

Visionary Entrepreneur Manuel Manzoni and International Taxation Expert Marco Scardeoni Partner to Drive Global Expansion through GCC Advisors

April 16, 2024

Teenage Girl Finds Mom’s Debit Card, Spends $64,000 on Mobile Games

January 9, 2020

Apple’s Beats Studio Pro Headphones Listed in FCC Database Ahead of Launch

January 10, 2020
© 2025 theelitetimes. Designed by theelitetimes.
  • Home
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • DMCA
  • Privacy Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.