As of 1 January 2026, the Dutch public sector has
introduced a broader and more stringent framework for information
security in government contracts. Alongside the existing General
Security Requirements for Defence Contracts (ABDO 2019), the
General Security Requirements for Government Contracts (ABRO) have
now formally entered into force.
Together, ABDO and ABRO establish a comprehensive set of
security obligations for organisations that work with classified or
strategically sensitive government information, both within and
beyond the defence sector.
From defence contracts to a wider public‑sector
framework
ABDO 2019 has long applied to external parties involved in
defence‑related contracts concerning classified information
or vital defence interests. It is an accreditation regime imposed
contractually and supervised by the Dutch intelligence services,
rather than a certification scheme.
