The U.S. Department of Justice announced a new approach intended to expedite antitrust investigations of corporate mergers, aiming to reduce the burden on companies undergoing federal review. The updated policy, unveiled by the department’s antitrust division on Thursday, seeks to streamline the examination process by concentrating on the most apparent competitive concerns in proposed deals.

Under the revised procedure, the Justice Department will limit the scope of information requests by focusing on fewer executives and employees for documentation related to the merger. This targeted inquiry is designed to accelerate decision-making, with the department aiming to determine whether to close or broaden an investigation within approximately five weeks after receiving requested records.

Officials emphasized that the new model will not apply uniformly to all merger cases. Instead, it will be employed selectively, allowing some transactions to complete review more quickly while enabling resources to be directed toward more complex or potentially problematic deals.

The change reflects ongoing efforts by the department to balance thorough enforcement of antitrust laws with reducing unnecessary delays and compliance costs for businesses. By focusing on the most clear-cut competitive risks early in the review, the department hopes to provide greater certainty to merging companies and promote more efficient regulatory oversight.

The initiative is part of a broader government push to modernize antitrust enforcement amid a challenging economic climate and evolving market dynamics. Stakeholders in various industries are expected to monitor closely how the policy influences the pace and outcomes of merger investigations moving forward.