The Italian antitrust authority has launched an investigation into Luxottica Group SpA's €140 million acquisition of glass-lens maker Barberini, Reuters reported Oct. 5.

Spectacles manufacturer Luxottica announced the Barberini deal in June. Luxottica recently closed its €48 billion merger with France's Essilor.

The antitrust authority said EssilorLuxottica and Barberini would control up to 70% of the Italian sunglasses market, the news outlet reported, citing a document on the antitrust authority's website.

"Barberini's positioning ... leads one to believe that such a concentration could significantly hamper competition ... creating or strengthening a dominant position," the Italian authority said.