Dutch regulator probes PostNL over acquisition of Sandd

PostNL

13/02/2026 08:09

AMSTERDAM, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The Netherlands' consumer protection ​regulator ACM has launched an investigation ‌into Dutch postal service provider PostNL PTNL.AS over its acquisition of Sandd.

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.

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".

 (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout
Editing by Tomasz Janowski)

 ((Charlotte.VanCampenhout@thomsonreuters.com; X: @CVanCampenhout / bsky:@charlottevc.bsky.social;))