France’s competition authority has carried out unannounced inspections at companies operating in the auditing and certification of financial and extra-financial data, as part of an investigation into suspected anti-competitive practices.
According to a statement published on 14 January 2026, the investigation services of the Autorité de la concurrence conducted visit-and-seizure operations on 13 January after receiving authorisation from a judge overseeing freedoms and detention. The measures targeted firms active in auditing and the certification of financial reporting and non-financial disclosures.
The Authority confirmed that the inspections were carried out at several companies but declined to identify those concerned. It stressed that such investigative steps are standard tools in antitrust proceedings and do not imply that the companies involved have engaged in unlawful conduct.
Media reports, including from French financial publication La Lettre, indicated that the inspections may have involved some of the world’s largest audit firms — Deloitte, KPMG, EY and PwC — which collectively dominate the audit and certification market for large corporates in France and globally. When contacted, Deloitte said it had no comment, while representatives of KPMG, EY and PwC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Autorité de la concurrence said the companies under scrutiny are suspected of engaging in anti-competitive behaviour, without providing further details on the nature of the alleged practices. The investigation remains at a preliminary stage, and the Authority reiterated that the outcome could range from case closure to the opening of formal proceedings, depending on the evidence gathered.
The audit sector has long attracted regulatory attention due to its high level of concentration, particularly in the market for large listed companies. Any findings of anti-competitive conduct could have significant implications for competition policy and professional services regulation in France.
The Authority has not indicated a timeline for the conclusion of the investigation.