Bureau Veritas, SGS in merger talks to form US$30B testing and certification giant

SWITZERLAND – France’s Bureau Veritas and Swiss multinational SGS have confirmed discussions about a potential merger that could create a testing and certification powerhouse worth over US$30 billion.

In separate announcements on January 15, both companies acknowledged the talks but emphasized that there is no certainty the discussions will lead to a transaction or formal agreement. 

Bureau Veritas, with a market valuation of approximately €13.23 billion (US$13.6 billion), and SGS, valued at about 17.4 billion Swiss francs (US$19.1 billion), are leading global players in inspection and certification services.  

Together, they employ nearly 183,000 staff worldwide, with SGS operating a workforce of nearly 100,000 and Bureau Veritas employing 83,000. 

Both companies are instrumental in ensuring efficiency and safety standards through inspection services across various industries.  

If the merger proceeds, it would mark the most significant consolidation in the maritime sector’s certification societies in over a decade.  

The last notable merger occurred in 2013 when Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and Germanischer Lloyd joined forces, later rebranding as DNV. 

Bloomberg News reports that the two companies are in advanced discussions, with a potential agreement expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. 

Meanwhile, SGS has been expanding its global footprint. The company recently acquired RTI Laboratories, a Michigan-based provider of environmental and materials testing services, enhancing its capabilities in North America. 

In December 2024, SGS also formed a strategic partnership with GCC Lab to focus on new energy testing and certification across the Middle East and North Africa.  

The partnership agreement, signed in October 2024 in Saudi Arabia, aligns with the global push for renewable energy development, supported by China’s Belt and Road Initiative. 

SGS will use GCC Lab’s strengths to offer tailored testing and certification services, easing market access for new energy product manufacturers and service providers. 

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