Additional technologies covered by FDI screening mechanism

On 20 July 2020, the Business Secretary made two additional orders amending the circumstances when the Government may intervene in mergers under the Enterprise Act 2002. The changes lower the jurisdictional thresholds for merger controls in three specific sectors: artificial intelligence, cryptographic authentication technology and “advanced materials”.

• Type:

  • Entry and establishment (Approval and admission)

• Industry:

  • Manufacturing (Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, and electrical equipment)
  • Services (Computer programming, consultancy and related activities, Scientific research and development, Other professional, scientific and technical activities)

• Sources:

  • legislation.gov.uk, The Enterprise Act 2002 (Turnover Test) (Amendment) Order 2020, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/763/made, 21 Jul 2020
  • gov.uk, Enterprise Act 2002: guidance on changes to the turnover and share of supply tests for mergers (Orders 2020), https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enterprise-act-2002-guidance-on-changes-to-the-turnover-and-share-of-supply-tests-for-mergers-orders-2020, 21 Jul 2020
  • legislation.gov.uk, The Enterprise Act 2002 (Share of Supply) (Amendment) Order 2020, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/748/introduction/made, 20 Jul 2020