No Dutch Franchise Code, but legislation on franchising
The Secretary of State has stated that the Dutch Franchise Code (“NFC”) is not enshrined in law. However, there will be legislation on franchising.
On 8 February 2018, the standing committee for Economic Affairs and Climate held consultations with Ms Keijzer, State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate, about including the announced regulations on franchising. The coalition agreement also contains a phrase about this, namely that regulations must be introduced and that the “pre-competitive phase” must be included in legislation.
The Secretary of State indicates that he is working on the regulations on franchising, but it has emerged that there is no agreement between franchisors and franchisees about the NFC. The State Secretary indicates that he has accepted this as an established fact. This seems to put an end to the question of whether the NFC will be legally enshrined, as was previously submitted to the public for consultation.
The State Secretary announces that she will submit an elaboration of the regulations to the House of Representatives in an order in council (“AmvB”). This order in council will contain rules for the “pre-competitive phase” in franchising. She hopes to do so before the end of the year.
mr. AW Dolphin – franchise lawyer
Ludwig & Van Dam Franchise attorneys, franchise legal advice. Do you want to respond? Go to dolphijn@ludwigvandam.nl .
Other messages
Insured and well
Occasionally, a franchise agreement contains a clause that obliges the franchisee to take out legal expenses insurance.
Rayon protection II: limitation of the exclusive area.
As a follow-up to the contribution in the previous Newsletter, this time the (possibilities of) curtailment of the exclusive franchise area will be discussed. In most franchise agreements
Franchise Agreements and Terms and Conditions
Franchise agreements often include concise arrangements with regard to delivery and payment conditions.
Horizontal and vertical cooperation
In practice, purchasing organisations, whether or not in the form of a cooperative, sometimes function - partly - as a sales organisation.
Competition and brandability: recent developments
The president of the Court of Arnhem very recently once again considered a number of competition law issues in preliminary relief proceedings
Master franchising: a double dependency
Various franchise organizations in the Netherlands are based on a so-called master franchise construction