Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has opened a full Phase 2 investigation into the proposed acquisition of O.C.L. Laundry Services Limited by Elis S.A., citing the need for a more detailed assessment of the transaction’s potential impact on competition.
Both Elis S.A. and O.C.L. Laundry Services Limited operate in the Irish market for outsourced flat linen rental and maintenance services. Flat linen typically includes items such as towels, bed sheets, pillowcases, and tablecloths, while associated maintenance services cover the collection, sorting, washing, drying, and folding of these products. Customers in this sector include accommodation providers such as hotels, hostels and bed-and-breakfast establishments, as well as hospitals and nursing homes.
Elis S.A. conducts its Irish operations through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Elis Textile Services Limited and Berendsen Ireland Holdings Limited. The proposed transaction was formally notified to the CCPC on 15 August 2025 under case reference M/25/050.
Under Irish competition law, the CCPC is required to review certain mergers and acquisitions to ensure they do not harm effective competition in the State. In carrying out this assessment, the authority examines the potential effects of a transaction on consumers, including possible changes in prices, choice, service quality, and innovation.
Following a preliminary Phase 1 examination, the CCPC concluded that an in-depth investigation is necessary to determine whether the proposed acquisition could result in a substantial lessening of competition in the Irish market. The opening of a Phase 2 review indicates that the authority has identified potential competition concerns that warrant closer scrutiny.
The CCPC emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and, at this stage, it is not in a position to provide further details on its assessment or the specific issues under consideration.