NMa: Dutch National Association of General Practitioners fined for breach of seal

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has imposed a fine of €51,000 on the Dutch National Association of General Practitioners (LHV) for breaching seals that had been affixed to a door by NMa officials the night before. The NMa seals off rooms when an investigation that involves looking for evidence of a violation of the Dutch Competition Act has not yet been completed. With these seals, the NMa is able continue the investigation the next day without the risk of losing or damaging the evidence that is stored in the sealed-off area.

The NMa takes breaches of seals very seriously. 'We seal off areas to continue looking for evidence the next day. If seals are broken, it is very likely that this was done with the deliberate intention to remove evidence that is relevant to our investigation,' says Pieter Kalbfleisch, chairman of the Board of the NMa. The NMa uses seals that cannot be torn apart like paper. A distinguishing feature of the seal is that it changes color once it is removed, leaving a blue-ish residue that repeatedly makes up the word 'STOP'.


Since October 1, 2007, the NMa is able to impose fines by itself for breaches of seals. In the past, these had to be reported to the police.