The Croatian competition authority, known as AZTN, has launched an investigation against several construction firms, including Eptisa Adria d.o.o., Expertplan d.o.o., Projektna cjelina d.o.o., JC development & strategy d.o.o., Consol d.o.o., Građevinski laboratorij d.o.o., and ADVANCED CONSULTING ENGINEERING SERVICES d.o.o. The investigation aims to determine whether these companies have engaged in practices that prevent, restrict, or distort competition by forming prohibited agreements under Article 8 of the Competition Act.

This action was prompted by a notification from the State Commission for Control of Public Procurement (DKOM), which reported irregularities in a public procurement process related to operational coordination services for the reconstruction of earthquake-damaged residential and mixed-use buildings in Zagreb. The procurement involved five groups and was commissioned by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Property.

Following a preliminary examination of the relevant market, AZTN found sufficient indications to initiate proceedings against the mentioned companies. On December 23, 2025, AZTN concluded to start the investigation into potential prohibited agreements in the market for architectural, construction, technical, and inspection services, as well as project management services in construction within Zagreb.

To gather additional facts and evidence that could confirm the suspicions leading to the investigation, AZTN conducted an unannounced search of the business premises of Eptisa Adria, Expertplan, Projektna cjelina, Consol, and JC on January 21, 2026, under the authority granted by the Competition Act and based on an order from the High Administrative Court of the Republic of Croatia.

AZTN will make a decision on whether the companies violated the provisions of the Competition Act by forming prohibited agreements based on the final established facts during the investigation. It is important to note that the initiation of proceedings and the unannounced search do not prejudge AZTN's final decision.