Press Release: Judgment in Case T-224/10. Association belge des consommateurs test-achats ASBL v European Commission

Consumer associations have the right to be heard, in the context of the administrative procedure before the Commission relating to a merger investigation, subject to compliance with two conditions. In the present case, the fact that an association submitted its application to be heard prior to notification of the merger cannot make up for the non-renewal of that application subsequent to the formal initiation of the procedure.