Beijing, September 30, 2025 — China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has officially issued the “Guidelines on Merger Control Filings”, which take effect on October 1. The new guidelines — released for the first time as an industry standard in the market regulation system — aim to clarify filing requirements and help businesses submit merger notifications more efficiently and in compliance with antitrust rules.
A senior official from SAMR’s Anti-Monopoly Bureau II said the introduction of the guidelines represents an important step in implementing the Chinese government’s broader push to improve administrative efficiency and optimize public services, in line with directives from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council.
“Merger control filings are highly specialized. As companies become more aware of antitrust compliance, they are increasingly seeking clear and professional guidance on filing thresholds, document preparation, and submission procedures,” the official noted. “SAMR has responded proactively by developing the Guidelines to help businesses improve the efficiency and quality of their filings.”
The Guidelines on Merger Control Filings consist of six chapters and six appendices, detailing key requirements for filing conditions, documentation, and review procedures.
Key highlights include
- Clear Filing Triggers — The Guidelines specify under what circumstances businesses must file a merger notification, including cases meeting statutory thresholds, voluntary filings below the threshold, and exemptions. This helps companies understand and meet their compliance obligations.
- Standardized Documentation — The Guidelines outline the required forms, materials, and information that must be submitted, including the main contents of the filing form and requirements for simplified cases, helping companies prepare accurate, complete submissions.
- Transparent Review Process — The Guidelines explain how companies should prepare and submit filings, as well as the acceptance and review procedures, giving businesses greater predictability in the approval process.
Notably, with the implementation of the new Guidelines, four previous guiding documents on merger control filings — including the Guiding Opinions on Merger Control Filing, Guiding Opinions on Filing Materials, Guiding Opinions on Simplified Case Filings, and Guiding Opinions on Naming Conventions — will be repealed.
The SAMR official emphasized that the new Guidelines integrate and update these earlier documents, incorporating the latest legal provisions and enforcement practices.
Source: https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/mtjj/art/2025/art_6175dc8818e4499d9bfcfe4dd0e61fef.html
