The European Union (EU) has launched a competitive investigation into Amazon’s attempt to buy robot vacuum maker iRobot for $1.7 billion.
The EU Commission has announced that a competition investigation has been opened to evaluate the US-based Amazon’s acquisition of iRobot.
The statement said there were concerns that the acquisition would allow Amazon to restrict competition in the robot vacuums market and strengthen its position as an online marketplace provider.
Pointing out that an investigation will be conducted to identify competition concerns on this issue, it was stated in the statement that the purchase attempt was notified to the EU Commission on 1 June 2023, and that the investigation would be completed by 15 November.
Supervising mergers and acquisitions in large-scale companies operating in European countries is within the competence of the EU Commission.
The EU Commission evaluates whether there is an anti-competitive situation in its investigations and investigations. If anti-competitive situations are detected, the EU Commission can prevent mergers or acquisitions.
Amazon announced last year that it would buy iRobot for $1.7 billion.