ACM launches investigation into PostNL

Over the past several weeks, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has had conversations with various stakeholders involved about the implications of the ruling of the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) regarding the acquisition of postal operator Sandd by PostNL. Those discussions have not yet resulted in a solution that does justice to the interests of other postal companies (regional or otherwise) and end-users that have been harmed by the acquisition. That is why ACM has decided to launch an investigation.

It is not yet known when this investigation will be completed. If ACM comes to the conclusion that the competition rules have been violated, it will impose appropriate measures on PostNL, aimed at restoring the postal services market. During the investigation, ACM does not comment on this case. In the meantime, ACM continues to be open to discussions with PostNL and other stakeholders about any measures that PostNL could take in order to address the interests of other postal companies (regional or otherwise) and end-users.

The discussions of the previous weeks as well as the upcoming investigation were prompted by the December 2025 ruling (in Dutch) of the CBb, in which it ruled that ACM had rightfully refused to grant a license for the acquisition. That ruling marked the end to legal proceedings that had lasted many years.