GovWire

Statutory timetable

Phase 1

Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation: closed

12 April 2023: The CMA has consulted on proposed undertakings in lieu of reference offered by Eville & Jones (Group) Limited for its completed acquisition of Vorenta Ltd.

• Notice of consultation (PDF, 155KB) (12.4.23)
• Proposed undertakings in lieu of reference (PDF, 180KB) (12.4.12)

CMA to consider undertakings in lieu of reference offered

20 March 2023: The CMA considers that there were reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings in lieu of reference offered by Eville & Jones (Group) Limited, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.

• Full text decision (PDF, 108 KB) (6.4.23)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

6 March 2023: The CMA has decided, on the evidence currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that the completed acquisition by Eville & Jones (Group) Limited of Vorenta Ltd may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for an in-depth, Phase 2 investigation unless Eville & Jones (Group) Limited offers an acceptable undertaking to address these competition concerns.

• Full text of phase 1 decision (PDF, 649 KB) (6.4.23)
• Summary of phase 1 decision (PDF, 151 KB) (6.3.23)
• Press release: Merger could mean costlier and lower quality inspections for food industry

Launch of merger inquiry

9 January 2023: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (9.1.23)

Invitation to comment: closed

15 December 2022: The CMA was considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invited comments on the transaction from any interested party.

Written representations about any competition issues should be provided by the deadline set out above.

Initial enforcement order

2 November 2022: The CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Eville & Jones (Group) Ltd (including Eville & Jones Holdings Limited) and Vorenta Ltd (including its different businesses, sunamely Hall Mark Hygiene Limited, Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Limited, Probita Solutions Limited, Keyskill.com Limited, and OV Online Limited).

• Initial enforcement order (PDF, 186KB) (4.11.22)

Directions to appoint a hold separate manager

27 April 2023: Pursuant to an initial enforcement order dated 2 November 2022, the CMA directed Eville & Jones (Group) Limited and Vorenta Ltd to appoint a hold separate manager for the Vorenta business.

• Directions to appoint a hold separate manager (PDF, 171KB) (27.4.23)

Revocation of directions to appoint a hold separate manager

27 April 2023: At the request of Eville & Jones (Group) Limited, the CMA has revoked the directions made on 16 November 2022, which directed Eville & Jones (Group) Limited and Vorenta Ltd to appoint a hold separate manager for the Vorenta business.

• Revocation order (PDF. 118KB) (27.4.23)

Directions to appoint a hold separate manager

21 November 2022: On 16 November 2022, pursuant to an initial enforcement order dated 2 November 2022, the CMA directed Eville & Jones (Group) Limited and Vorenta Ltd to appoint a hold separate manager for the Vorenta business.

• Directions to appoint a hold separate manager (PDF, 150KB) (22.11.22)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to:

• Carolina Ricciardi, Carolina.Ricciardi@cma.gov.uk

• Darren Gysi, Darren.Gysi@cma.gov.uk