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ACM: Dutch rental agencies to adjust their procedures
Dutch rental agencies NederWoon Verhuurmakelaars and Rots Vast have made commitments to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) that they will no longer charge lessees any agency fees when acting as an agent between lessors and lessees. … -
Consumers are often in a stronger position than they think
New rules recently came into force, giving consumers more rights. Consumers often do not know what their rights (current or new) are. In the first half of 2014, ConsuWijzer received over 32,650 questions and complaints from consumers about their rights. … -
New Pawnshop Act comes into force on July 1
The new Dutch Pawnshop Act has entered into force today, which means stricter rules now apply to pawn loans. These rules apply to both commercial and municipal pawnshops, but also to other lenders, such as jewelers that give pawn loans on jewelry. One of … -
New regulations on pawnshops set ceilings on interest rates on pawn loans
When the new Dutch Pawnshop Act comes into force, new regulations will apply to pawn loans. From 1 July 2014, a ceiling will be introduced on the interest rate that consumers have to pay on pawn loans. From this date, a maximum interest rate of 9 percent … -
ConsuWijzer considers unsolicited follow-up shipments of ‘free’ samples a big problem
Vitamin pills, creams, puzzle and children’s books, discount cards, razor blades, underwear: these are all products that you agree to receiving a one-off free sample of, but afterwards you may receive expensive follow-up shipments or you may be stuck with … -
Market scan into online games
ACM looked into the online games market. This is a growth market populated by many young consumers. This group in particular is not always fully aware of the differences between virtual and real money, and of the implications of sharing personal … -
More attention needed for risks children face through online gaming
The online games market is a fast-growing market, populated by a predominantly young target audience. These characteristics, together with the blurring lines between real and virtual money, a relative lack of payment obstacles, and the sharing of personal … -
Key Priorities for 2013 of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets
These are the ACM’s key priorities for 2013. The key priorities have been based on the ACM’s market outlook and its strategy (draft version). Given its widely diverse fields, combined with its limited resources, ACM has to make choices about what market … -
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets: consumers are central
‘Consumers are central in our oversight,’ says Chris Fonteijn, Chairman of the Board of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM), at the press conference marking the launch of the new regulator. Mr. Fonteijn continues: ‘This principle … -
CA 2012 Annual Report
In 2012, the Netherlands Consumer Authority (CA) primarily focused on the reduction and prevention of consumer harm. That is the key message from its 2012 Annual Report, which it released today. The CA used various instruments in order to end violations …