Greenwashing Under Dutch Law: Legal Risks for International Businesses
Greenwashing under Dutch law constitutes misleading sustainability claims. These claims present products, services, or corporate activities as more environmentally friendly than they actually are. This practice represents a growing legal liability for companies operating in the Netherlands. Recent enforcement developments and landmark litigation in Amsterdam courts have intensified scrutiny. What Constitutes Greenwashing Under Netherlands Jurisdiction? […]
Defamation and Libel in the Netherlands: What International Clients Need to Know
Dutch law protects individuals and organizations against unjustified attacks on their reputation through comprehensive defamation legislation. Defamation in the Netherlands encompasses both slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written or published defamation), with distinct legal consequences for each. Research indicates that approximately 68% of defamation cases in the Netherlands involve online publications through social media and […]
What Are the Liability and Legal Risks of Greenwashing in the Netherlands?
Greenwashing creates liability risks based on misleading commercial practices and breach of contract, with fines reaching €900,000 or 10% of annual turnover imposed by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). Additionally, companies face damage claims from consumers and business partners, reputational harm, and contract voidance due to misrepresentation when making false sustainability claims. […]
Terminating a Business Agreement Under Dutch Law
How Do You Legally Terminate a Partnership Agreement in the Netherlands? A partnership agreement termination under Dutch law is a legal action requiring careful preparation that can significantly impact your international business operations in the Netherlands. Termination encompasses various legal mechanisms including cancellation (opzegging), dissolution (ontbinding), and nullification (vernietiging), each governed by specific provisions in […]
Contract Termination under Dutch law: When Standard Notice Periods Cannot Be Extended
What Are the Limits of Contract Modification Under Dutch Law? Dutch contract law prohibits modifying contractual terms solely through the supplementary application of reasonableness and fairness (‘aanvullende werking redelijkheid en billijkheid‘) or a dynamic interpretation of the contract. This fundamental principle, established by the Dutch Supreme Court in May 2025, therefore provides crucial certainty for […]
Trade Name under Dutch law: Expert Lawyers in the Netherlands for International Business Protection
When is a trade Name protected under Dutch law? Trade names under Dutch law receive protection through the Dutch Trade Name Act (‘Handelsnaamwet’) from their first commercial use, provided no confusion risk exists with older trade names. Protection arises automatically without registration – while Chamber of Commerce registration serves administrative purposes, it doesn’t automatically grant […]
What is an IT Contract Under Dutch Law and Why Do International Businesses Need Legal Guidance in the Netherlands?
IT Contracts Under Dutch Law An IT contract under Dutch law is an agreement legally documenting the delivery of ICT services, software, hardware, or related services. Specifically, this type of contract contains specific provisions regarding intellectual property rights, licensing agreements, liability, and privacy that require specialized legal expertise under Netherlands jurisdiction. Studies demonstrate that 67% […]
Comparative and misleading advertising under Dutch law | Holie Foods vs. Lotus Bakeries before Amsterdam Court | Guidance from an Amsterdam law firm on litigation in the Netherlands
On 15 August 2025, the Amsterdam District Court ruled in the dispute between Lotus Bakeries and Holie Foods in the Netherlands. Holie Foods used its own “Sugar Score” to place the sugar content of bars and breakfast products side by side, including Lotus products. Lotus objected and went to court, but the preliminary relief judge […]
What is Agency under Dutch Law?
Mandate is a contract where the agent undertakes to perform one or more legal acts with third parties on behalf of the principal. The agent may act in their own name or in the principal’s name, unlike a power of attorney where authority exists without obligation to perform. Agency constitutes a special form of the […]
What Are the Legal Frameworks of Product Liability in the Netherlands?
Several sources shape the legal framework governing product liability in the Netherlands. The Dutch Civil Code (Article 6:185 BW) lays down the main rules, directly implementing the European Product Liability Directive. Under Dutch law, manufacturers must compensate for damage caused by defects in their products. Dutch courts have developed extensive case law in this field. […]