Mandatory notifications are required for acquisitions of a qualifying entity. For acquisition of an asset (IP) notifications are voluntary. However, if the government reasonably suspects it may give rise to a national security risk it may still be called in for scrutiny. Submitting a voluntary notification avoids the risk of proceeding with an acquisition that might be later called in and potentially blocked or reversed.
The areas of the economy which require a mandatory notification and should be considered for voluntary notifications too are:
- Advanced Materials
- Advanced Robotics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Civil Nuclear
- Communications
- Computing Hardware
- Critical Suppliers to Government
- Cryptographic Authentication
- Data Infrastructure
- Defence
- Energy
- Military and Dual-Use
- Quantum Technologies
- Satellite and Space Technologies
- Suppliers to the Emergency Services
- Synthetic Biology
- Transport
For further information about the scope of each of the above areas please see the UK government webpage here.
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