The Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to an application from Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc (Reckitt Benckiser) seeking clearance to acquire the K-Y brand and product assets of Johnson & Johnson.

The statement of preliminary issues outlines the key competition issues that the Commission currently considers will be important in deciding whether or not to grant clearance. The Commission’s statement of preliminary issues and the public version of the application are available on the Clearance Register.

The Commission invites submissions from parties who consider that they have information relevant to the Commission’s consideration of this matter. Submissions can be sent to registrar@comcom.govt.nz with the reference Reckitt Benckiser/Johnson & Johnson in the subject line of your email or to PO Box 2351, Wellington 6140 by close of business Wednesday 25 June 2014.

You can find the Statement of Preliminary Issues on the Clearances Register.

Background

Reckitt Benckiser is a global consumer goods company which manufactures and sells a range of health, hygiene, home food and pharmaceutical products. Relevant to its application for clearance, Reckitt Benckiser’s products include the Durex range of personal lubricants.

Johnson & Johnson is a global medical devices, pharmaceutical and consumer goods company. It produces consumer goods under 48 brands, including the K-Y brand of personal lubricants.