European merger guidelines draft ‘broad positive’ for PE deals, says Proskauer; Bridgepoint’s ATIC business NMi Group to enter A&D; EQT in ‘final’ bid for Intertek

EQT has advanced its takeover approach for Intertek by submitting what the firm characterizes as a final proposal to take the publicly listed testing, inspection, and certification company private. The move represents a decisive step in the Swedish private equity firm's acquisition process, though specific valuation details and timing for regulatory review were not disclosed in the available reporting.

Separately, regulatory developments in Europe are creating a more favorable backdrop for PE acquisition activity. Legal counsel at Proskauer has assessed draft European merger guidelines as "broadly positive" for private equity transactions, suggesting that policymakers may be adopting a more accommodative stance toward PE-sponsored consolidation. This interpretation carries significant implications for deal flow across the continent, as regulatory scrutiny has been a material constraint on cross-border PE M&A in recent years.

In portfolio company news, Bridgepoint's ATIC business—operating under the NMi Group brand—is expanding into the aerospace, defense, and security (A&D) sector. The move positions the testing and certification platform to capture higher-value, regulated markets within defense and government contracting, a strategic diversification from its traditional industrial and compliance testing base.