Finance
Dutch regulator probes PostNL over acquisition of Sandd
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 13, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 13, 2026
Quick Summary
The Dutch regulator ACM is probing PostNL's acquisition of Sandd, following a court ruling against the permit due to competition concerns.
Dutch regulator probes PostNL over acquisition of Sandd
Investigation Overview
AMSTERDAM, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The Netherlands' consumer protection regulator ACM has launched an investigation into Dutch postal service provider PostNL over its acquisition of Sandd.
Background of the Acquisition
The investigation followed a recent ruling by the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal, which found that the ACM had rightly refused a permit for the 2019 takeover over concerns it would harm competition in the postal market. The government at the time had nonetheless allowed the acquisition to go ahead.
PostNL's Response
In a statement, PostNL said that while it respected ACM, it disputed the need for the new probe, saying that "a new investigation would not contribute to the necessary progress and clarity in a sector that needs stability and forward-looking decision-making for customers and employees".
Regulatory Context
(Reporting by Charlotte Van CampenhoutEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
Key Takeaways
- •ACM launches investigation into PostNL's acquisition of Sandd.
- •Dutch court previously ruled against the acquisition permit.
- •PostNL disputes the necessity of the new probe.
- •Concerns raised over competition in the postal market.
- •The government initially allowed the acquisition despite concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dutch regulator probes PostNL over acquisition of Sandd
1What is an acquisition?
An acquisition is a corporate action in which one company purchases most or all of another company's shares to gain control of that company.
