Disclaimer :

The Competition DG makes the information provided by the notifying parties in section 1.2 of Form CO available to the public in order to increase transparency. This information has been prepared by the notifying parties under their sole responsibility, and its content in no way prejudges the view the Commission may take of the planned operation. Nor can the Commission be held responsible for any incorrect or misleading information contained therein.

SECTION 1.2

Description of the concentration

The Commission has received notification on the 25 of October 2019 of a proposed concentration in which Cobepa intends to acquire sole control of Socotec by way of a shareholding agreement.

The areas of activity of the undertakings concerned are as follows:

Cobepa SA ("Cobepa"), a limited liability company under Belgian law, is a privately held investment company. Cobepa's investment strategy is centred around two main types of investments: growth capital investments and buy-out transactions. Cobepa mainly seeks to pursue investment opportunities in Europe and North America. The ultimate mother company of Cobepa is Vedihold SA, a limited liability company under Luxembourgish law.

The Socotec Group ("Socotec") is a simplified limited company under French law. Socotec intervenes to identify, assess and manage risks in the areas of quality, health and safety, and environment. Its expertise covers three major types of service: testing, inspection and certification.

Socotec is currently jointly controlled by Cobepa SA, a limited liability company under Belgian law, whose ultimate shareholder is Vedihold SA, a limited liability company under Luxembourgish law and Five Arrows, a societe par actions simplifiee organized under the law of France.

Commission européenne, DG COMP MERGER REGISTRY, 1049 Bruxelles, BELGIQUE Europese Commissie, DG COMP MERGER REGISTRY, 1049 Brussel, BELGIË

Tel: +32 229-91111. Fax: +32 229-64301. E-mail: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu.