The Hart-Scott-Rodino Act

The Hart-Scott-Rodino Act is a U.S. law requiring companies planning large mergers or acquisitions to notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in advance. This gives regulators an opportunity to review the proposed deal for potential anti-competitive effects, like creating a monopoly or reducing consumer choice. If necessary, regulators can delay or block the transaction to promote fair competition. The goal is to ensure that big business consolidations don’t harm the marketplace or consumers. Companies must follow specific reporting procedures and timelines to comply with this law.