FedEx’s intended public offer to acquire TNT Express has entered a Phase II review at the European Commission, representing the next legal step in the merger process during which the commission will conduct detailed analysis under the EU Merger Regulation.

“We will continue to work together with TNT Express to meet the European Commission’s need for additional due diligence and are confident that the combination of both companies will increase competition and create benefits for customers,” said David Binks, president of FedEx Express Europe. “We continue to make progress on all the necessary regulatory steps around the world that would allow us to complete this transaction in the first half of 2016 and unite two great teams that share a passion for customer service.”

The whole process was initiated on June 26, 2015, when FedEx filed all the documentation necessary to seek regulatory approval from the European Commission.