Competition Act: Revised Merger Thresholds and Filing Fees

Posted 27 January 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Trade

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC) has finalised adjustments to the financial thresholds and filing fees for merger notifications under the Competition Act.

In terms of the Competition Act, No. 89 of 1998, two notices were gazetted on 8 May 2026 confirming the finalisation of adjustments to both merger thresholds and filing fees. These changes came into force retrospectively on 1 May 2026. The adjustments were developed in consultation with the Competition Commission to ensure that mandatory notification remains focused on transactions most likely to raise competition or public interest concerns.

The Competition Commission issued a media statement on 14 May 2026 welcoming the amendments, noting that the revised figures are intended to reduce “red tape” for smaller transactions. The retrospective application means that any merger transactions initiated or concluded on or after 1 May 2026 must comply with the new financial criteria and fee structures.

Key Regulatory Documents

  • The revised financial thresholds for determining intermediate and large mergers.
  • The updated schedule of filing fees payable to the Competition Commission upon notification.
  • The Commission’s formal position on the impact of these changes on the regulatory landscape.

Click here to download the Revised Merger Thresholds Notice.

Click here to download the Revised Filing Fees Notice.

Click here to download the Competition Commission Media Statement.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: You must update your regulatory knowledge base to reflect the new combined turnover and asset value thresholds that trigger mandatory notification under the Act.
  • For your business: Ensure that M&A compliance protocols and budget allocations for filing fees are adjusted to align with the retrospective 1 May 2026 effective date.
  • For your clients: Advise clients currently negotiating transactions on whether their deal now falls outside the mandatory notification bracket or if they are subject to the revised fee schedule.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/competition-act-changes-proposed-for-merger-thresholds-filing-fees

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