AsureQuality and Proficiency Services apply for clearance to form a joint venture
Published15 Oct 2010
The Commerce Commission has received an application from AsureQuality Limited and Proficiency Services Limited seeking clearance to form a new joint venture company. The joint venture company would acquire all of the proficiency testing business assets of AsureQuality and Proficiency Services Limited.
The Commerce Commission has received an application from AsureQuality Limited and Proficiency Services Limited seeking clearance to form a new joint venture company. The joint venture company would acquire all of the proficiency testing business assets of AsureQuality and Proficiency Services Limited.
AsureQuality is a state owned enterprise that provides proficiency testing services, food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors.
Proficiency Services also provides proficiency testing services, as well as laboratory reference materials and related services.
Proficiency testing is the quality assessment of individual laboratories' testing services. Laboratories submit test samples to a proficiency testing provider who then analyses the samples in order to assess those laboratories' accuracy and testing capabilities.
The clearance application relates to both parties' provision of these services to a number of industries including meat, dairy and milk.
In considering the application, the Commission's role is to determine whether the acquisition has the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.
