Knowledge Center

Netherlands Publishes Survey on Compliance with “Guidelines for Online Consumer Protection”

In August 2024, the Dutch Consumer & Market Authority released a survey of webshops on adherence to the “Guidelines for Online Consumer Protection”. The study aimed to assess if webshops were complying with regulations to prevent online consumers from being misled. Key findings from the study are outlined below.

Streamlined Disclosure in Post-M&A Litigation: Insights from the NCC's Enforcement of Contractual Disclosure Clauses

The Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC) has set a precedent in a post-merger and acquisition (M&A) dispute by enforcing a contractual disclosure clause, thereby granting the seller extensive rights to documents and interviews with key executives. This decision underscores the NCC's commitment to uphold disclosure agreements within contracts and...

Netherlands Media Authority Fines a Social Media Influencer for the First Time

On 18 June 2024, the Dutch Media Authority imposed its first fine on an influencer/video uploader for breaches of the Dutch Media Act's advertising rules.

Dutch Supreme Court Clarifies Legal Status and Implications of Mediation Clauses

In a judgment of 12 July 2024, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands (Hoge Raad) clarified the legal status and implications of mediation clauses in commercial contracts. The ruling confirms that such clauses are either non-binding or obligatory, depending on the wording and the parties' reasonable expectations. The court also emphasised that...

Dutch Supreme Court Rules EVs Falling Short of Claimed Range are Non-conforming

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands has held that an electric vehicle (EV) that fails to achieve the advertised range under normal driving conditions does not conform to the contract of sale and can be returned by the buyer. This ruling may have significant implications for the automotive industry and consumer protection...

EU Adopts AI Act – Key Components and Next Steps for Organizations

The EU has adopted a comprehensive regulation on artificial intelligence (AI) that aims to foster innovation, ensure trustworthiness, and protect fundamental rights. The regulation sets out harmonised rules and obligations for providers, deployers, and users of AI systems in the EU, as well as third-country actors whose AI systems affect the EU...