COVID-19: Consumer Protection, Competition Law & State Support In The Netherlands (Update*)

The Dutch government, including the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), is committed to support the Dutch economy, its businesses and citizens during the COVID-19 crisis.

Consumer protection, cooperation & cartels

The ACM has emphasized that competition law provides for possibilities to cooperate in order to prevent harm to consumers and businesses. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the ACM is available to provide guidance on the scope for cooperation between businesses to combat the crisis. Also, the authority has provided guidelines for businesses to deal with consumer protection related subjects:

• The first examples of the ACM's competition law related guidance regarded the first phase of the COVID-19 crisis, primarily focusing on the distribution of vital products. Examples included information exchange between supermarkets on stock levels and cooperation between logistics service providers to supply Dutch citizens with food;