Acm.nl uses cookies to analyze how the website is used, and to improve the user experience. Read more about cookies

ACM’s approach offers consumers direct and lasting results

In late-2015, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets conducted a follow-up check among over 40 companies that ACM had contacted before because they failed to comply with consumer regulations. Having adjusted their practices after that check, most of them apparently continue to comply with consumer protection rules. ACM has examined these companies that it had disciplined using rapid interventions over the past 18 months. Now that it has turned out that virtually all of these companies still comply with the rules, this approach has thus been able to bring about a lasting effect for consumers in an efficient manner. However, this was not the case with a few other companies. ACM imposed orders subject to periodic penalty payments in order to make them adjust their practices after all. Anita Vegter, Member of the Board of ACM, adds: “Most companies stick to the agreement, and comply with the rules. This proves that our approach works. We also see that follow-up checks are needed to keep them in line. That is why we will continue to carry out checks.”

Orders subject to periodic penalty payments

In November 2015, ACM enforcement officials checked over 40 companies that ACM had contacted before because they failed to comply with consumer regulations. ACM had received complaints about these businesses through its consumer information portal ConsuWijzer. These complaints concerned, among other things, the rules regarding renewing and cancelling subscriptions (the so-called Van Dam Act, see below), and the rules on correct and complete information about a firm’s offerings. The companies that have been checked and which apparently complied with the rules have been notified by ACM. On the other hand, ACM found out that three companies had slipped up again, which are:

  • L&R Dance and Sport Projects (gym)
  • LifeCity Amersfoort B.V. (gym)
  • Primaire Comfort Europe B.V. (home security company)

These three companies have violated the rules laid down in the Van Dam Act, which is named after Martijn van Dam, MP for the Dutch Labor Party and the sponsor of this law. For example, they restricted the cancellation options for consumers, and automatically renewed their subscriptions/memberships with one year. After being imposed orders subject to periodic penalty payments, they adjusted their practices.

Dealing with consumer problems

ACM has many different instruments at its disposal for solving consumer problems. When selecting the right approach, ACM puts consumers first. This means that, in some cases, ACM offers companies the opportunity to adjust their practices quickly so that consumers will no longer be harmed. In other cases, ACM imposes fines.

Back to top