Singapore slashes merger review timelines to 25 days

The revised guidelines aim to streamline notification and investigation processes for corpo deals.

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) has revised its merger procedures guidelines, which set out notification and investigation processes for mergers.

The amendments include the introduction of a streamlined track that shortens the Phase 1 assessment period for mergers unlikely to raise competition concerns from 30 to 25 working days.

The revisions also reduce the regulatory burden on merger parties and third parties when submitting information to the CCS.

In addition, it will provide earlier clarity on whether a merger is likely to be cleared.

The changes follow a public consultation conducted between 27 October and 17 November 2025.

The revised guidelines, along with related amendments to other CCS guidelines, will take effect from 1 May 2026.