Dutch Advisory Report Aims to Shield Innovation from Harmful Acquisitions
The Hague, Monday, 6 October 2025.
The Council of State’s recent report advises empowering the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets to curb ‘killer acquisitions’ that threaten innovation, aiming to foster fair competition.
Empowering the ACM
The recent advisory report issued by the Council of State supports a legislative proposal to empower the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) to intervene in smaller mergers and acquisitions, particularly those deemed ‘killer acquisitions’ which may stifle innovation and competition. This proposal, put forward by Julian Bushoff of the GroenLinks-PvdA party, aims to enhance the ACM’s oversight capabilities over mergers that fall below the current notification thresholds, allowing it to review potentially harmful transactions [1].
Impact on Key Sectors
The advisory report identifies specific sectors such as general practitioners, veterinary practices, and childcare as areas with concentration issues. However, it acknowledges a lack of evidence for similar issues in other sectors. The Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) already oversees healthcare sector concentrations, ensuring crucial care is not compromised. The report suggests that the NZa’s sector-specific expertise may be more effective than ACM’s broader approach, encouraging further examination of the potential for improved collaboration between these bodies [1][2].
Legislative and Economic Context
The legislative proposal is part of a broader effort to protect innovation within the Dutch economy. The Economic Affairs Committee of the Dutch Parliament has been actively discussing innovation policies, including those related to strategic autonomy and consumer protection. Recent discussions in the committee have focused on macroeconomic policy and the semiconductor industry, highlighting the importance of fostering a competitive and innovative business environment [3].
Looking Ahead
Anticipated to reshape the competitive landscape in the Netherlands, the proposal aims to prevent large corporations from acquiring smaller, innovative companies merely to eliminate potential competition. This move aligns with broader European Union efforts to regulate mergers and acquisitions that could threaten market diversity and innovation. As the proposal progresses through legislative channels, its implications for the Dutch market and innovation landscape will be closely monitored [1][3].