# Dutch — Consumer and Retail Sub-Lexicon

Auto-generated from translation experience. Maps Dutch consumer protection, retail,
and distance-selling terms to their correct English equivalents. Dutch consumer law
is built around BW Book 6 (general obligations and consumer sales/service sections),
BW Book 7 (sales, services, package travel, timeshares), and EU directives implemented
via BW and sector acts — Consumer Rights Directive, UCPD, UCTD, Digital Content
Directive, Sale of Goods Directive (EU 2019/771), GDPR.

## Core Consumer Law Concepts

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| consument | consumer | BW 7:5 — natural person acting for purposes outside trade or profession |
| handelaar / verkoper / dienstverlener | trader / seller / service provider | |
| consumentenkoop | consumer sale | BW 7:5 |
| koop op afstand | distance selling / distance sale | BW 6:230g-v |
| buiten de verkoopruimte gesloten overeenkomst | off-premises contract | |
| B2C / B2B | B2C / B2B | |
| beschermingsregeling | protective regime | |
| afwijking ten nadele van de consument | deviation to consumer's detriment | Void (dwingend recht) |
| dwingend consumentenrecht | mandatory consumer law | |
| precontractuele informatieplicht | pre-contractual information duty | BW 6:230m — extensive information requirements |
| duurzame drager | durable medium | |
| bevestigingsplicht | confirmation duty | |
| herroepingsrecht | right of withdrawal | 14-day cooling-off for distance/off-premises |
| herroepingstermijn | withdrawal period | 14 days; extended to 12 months if not informed |
| modelformulier voor herroeping | model withdrawal form | Annex to CRD |
| bedenktijd | reflection period | |

## Consumer Sales — Conformity and Remedies

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| conformiteit | conformity | BW 7:17 |
| non-conformiteit | non-conformity | |
| gebrek | defect | |
| verborgen gebrek | latent defect | |
| openbaar gebrek | apparent defect | |
| klachttermijn | complaint period | BW 7:23 — "binnen bekwame tijd" (within reasonable time) for consumers: 2 months is safe |
| herstel / vervanging / prijsvermindering / ontbinding | repair / replacement / price reduction / rescission | BW 7:21-22 — hierarchy of remedies |
| garantie | guarantee | Distinct from statutory conformity |
| commerciële garantie | commercial guarantee | |
| wettelijke garantie | statutory guarantee / warranty of conformity | No fixed duration — "reasonable expectation of durability" |
| duurzaamheid | durability | |
| updateplicht | update duty | For goods with digital elements — BW 7:22c |
| digitale inhoud / digitale dienst | digital content / digital service | BW 7:50aa-aj — Digital Content Directive implementation |
| persoonsgegevens als tegenprestatie | personal data as consideration | Covered by consumer protection |

## Unfair Commercial Practices

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| oneerlijke handelspraktijk | unfair commercial practice | BW 6:193a+ — UCPD implementation |
| misleidende handelspraktijk | misleading commercial practice | |
| agressieve handelspraktijk | aggressive commercial practice | |
| zwarte lijst | black list | 31 practices per se unfair |
| professionele toewijding | professional diligence | |
| gemiddelde consument | average consumer | |
| economisch gedrag | economic behavior | Influence test |
| uitnodiging tot aankoop | invitation to purchase | |
| reclame | advertising | |
| vergelijkende reclame | comparative advertising | BW 6:194a |
| ongewenste communicatie | unsolicited communication | |
| reclamecode | advertising code | Self-regulation — Reclame Code Commissie |
| Stichting Reclame Code | Dutch Advertising Code Foundation | |
| Reclame Code Commissie (RCC) | Advertising Code Committee | |
| greenwashing | greenwashing | Subject of increasing enforcement |
| donkere patronen / dark patterns | dark patterns | DSA Art. 25 |

## Unfair Contract Terms

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| algemene voorwaarden | general terms and conditions | BW 6:231+ |
| opstellingsvereiste | availability requirement | Terms must be accessible before/at contracting |
| informatieplicht bij algemene voorwaarden | duty to provide terms | BW 6:234 |
| zwarte lijst (art. 6:236) | black list | Always unreasonable in consumer contracts |
| grijze lijst (art. 6:237) | grey list | Presumed unreasonable in consumer contracts |
| onredelijk bezwarend | unreasonably onerous | BW 6:233 — test |
| reflexwerking | reflex effect | Extension of black/grey list to small traders / reflex SMEs |
| kern van de prestatie / kernbedingen | core terms | Not subject to unfairness review (unless non-transparent) |
| transparantievereiste | transparency requirement | |
| contra proferentem-regel | contra proferentem rule | BW 6:238(2) |
| vernietiging van beding | annulment of term | Remedy for unreasonable general term |

## E-commerce, Distance Selling, Digital Services

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| elektronische handel / e-commerce | e-commerce | |
| e-commerce richtlijn / DSA / DMA | E-Commerce Directive / DSA / DMA | |
| aanbieder van tussenliggende diensten | intermediary service provider | |
| platform / online platform | platform / online platform | |
| zeer groot online platform (VLOP) | very large online platform (VLOP) | DSA Art. 33 |
| notice-and-action | notice and action | |
| informatie over de verkoper | information about the seller | Identity, address, contact, etc. |
| bestelknop / "bestellen met betalingsverplichting" | order button / "order with obligation to pay" | BW 6:230v(3) — mandatory wording |
| bevestiging per e-mail | confirmation by email | Within reasonable time |
| uitvoering binnen 30 dagen | delivery within 30 days | Default if not agreed |
| risico overgang | passing of risk | BW 7:11 — at delivery to consumer |
| herroepingsrecht uitsluitingen | exclusions to right of withdrawal | E.g., bespoke goods, sealed goods for hygiene, digital content once performance started |
| abonnementen / subscriptie | subscription | Wet van Dam — annual tacit renewal cancellable monthly |
| Wet van Dam | Van Dam Act | 2010/2011 — restricts automatic renewal of consumer contracts |
| tweedehands / refurbished | second-hand / refurbished | |

## Financial Services to Consumers

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| consumentenkrediet | consumer credit | BW 7:57+ — CCD implementation |
| doorlopend krediet | revolving credit | |
| persoonlijke lening | personal loan | |
| hypothecair krediet | mortgage credit | MCD implementation |
| BKR (Bureau Krediet Registratie) | credit bureau | |
| verantwoorde kredietverstrekking | responsible lending | |
| kredietwaardigheidstoets | creditworthiness assessment | |
| koop op afbetaling / huurkoop | hire-purchase / installment sale | BW 7A |
| goederenkrediet | goods credit | |
| BKR-registratie | credit bureau registration | |
| restschuld | residual debt | |
| buy now, pay later (BNPL) | buy now pay later | Increasingly regulated; consumer credit rules expanded |
| effectieve rente / jaarlijks kostenpercentage (JKP) | annual percentage rate (APR) | |
| kostenmaximum | cost cap | 14% APR for most consumer credit (2024) |
| recht op vervroegde aflossing | right of early repayment | |

## Consumer Dispute Resolution

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Geschillencommissie | Disputes Committee | Sectoral consumer ADR — contract-based binding |
| bindend advies (Geschillencommissie) | binding advice | Decisions binding — limited court review |
| ConsuWijzer | ConsuWijzer | Dutch consumer information portal (ACM) |
| ACM (Autoriteit Consument en Markt) | Authority for Consumers and Markets | Competition and consumer enforcement |
| Consumentenbond | Consumers' Association | Dutch consumer NGO |
| klachtenregeling | complaints procedure | |
| European Consumer Center / ECC-Net | European Consumer Center | |
| ODR-platform | ODR platform | Online dispute resolution |
| Kifid | Kifid | Financial services ombudsman (see Insurance sub-lexicon) |

## Retail-Specific

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| winkelketen | retail chain | |
| verkooppunt / filiaal | point of sale / branch | |
| prijsaanduiding | price indication | Prijzenwet — indicated price binds for consumer |
| omniprijzen-richtlijn / prijsreductie | Omnibus Directive / price reduction rule | BW 6:193g implementation — must show prior lowest price |
| Artikel 6:193j BW | Art. 6:193j BW | Reversed burden of proof for misleading practices against professionals; for consumers, protection is direct |
| verkoop onder de inkoopprijs | sale below cost price | Competition law issue |
| Winkeltijdenwet | Shop Hours Act | Municipalities set hours; Sunday opening liberalized |
| franchiseovereenkomst | franchise agreement | Wet franchise — BW Book 7 Title 16 (since 2021) |
| franchisegever / franchisenemer | franchisor / franchisee | |
| Nederlandse Franchise Code | Dutch Franchise Code | |
| winkelpuilenbeleid | local retail policy | |
| detailhandel | retail trade | |
| groothandel | wholesale | |
| kassa / POS-systeem | till / POS system | |

## Product Safety, Labeling and Recall

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| productveiligheid | product safety | |
| Algemene productveiligheidsverordening (GPSR) | General Product Safety Regulation | EU 2023/988 — replaces GPSD from 13 Dec 2024 |
| General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) | General Product Safety Directive | Pre-GPSR |
| productaansprakelijkheid | product liability | BW 6:185+ — strict liability per Product Liability Directive |
| gebrekkig product | defective product | |
| producent | producer | |
| importeur / verspreider | importer / distributor | |
| veiligheidswaarschuwing / recall | safety warning / recall | |
| RAPEX / Safety Gate | RAPEX / Safety Gate | EU rapid alert system |
| Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA) | Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority | |
| CE-markering | CE marking | |
| etikettering | labeling | |
| allergeneninformatie | allergen information | EU 1169/2011 |
| ingrediëntenlijst | ingredient list | |
| herkomstaanduiding | origin labeling | |
| houdbaarheidsdatum / THT-datum / TGT-datum | expiry date / best-before date / use-by date | |

## Sustainability and Green Claims

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| duurzaamheidsclaim | sustainability claim | |
| Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition-richtlijn | Empowering Consumers Directive | (EU) 2024/825 |
| Green Claims-richtlijn (voorstel) | Green Claims Directive (proposed) | |
| CO2-neutraal / klimaatneutraal | carbon-neutral / climate-neutral | Subject to substantiation requirements |
| gerecycled / gerecycleerd | recycled | |
| biologisch / biologische landbouw | organic / organic farming | EU Regulation 2018/848 |
| EU-ecolabel | EU Ecolabel | |
| greenwashing-handhaving | greenwashing enforcement | ACM / EU coordinated action |
| Leidraad Duurzaamheidsclaims ACM | ACM Guidance on Sustainability Claims | |

## Notes for Translators

- **Consument — BW 7:5 definition**: Natural person acting for purposes outside trade/profession. Excludes legal persons and mixed-purpose transactions. Unique BW definition must be applied literally — never translate "consument" as "client" or "customer". Always "consumer".
- **Herroepingsrecht (14-day cooling-off)**: EU-harmonized consumer right to withdraw from distance/off-premises contracts within 14 days. Dutch implementation BW 6:230o-v. If trader fails to inform of right, extended to 12 months + 14 days. Translate as "right of withdrawal" and preserve 14-day reference.
- **Bedenktijd**: Broader term for "reflection period". Specific instances: 14-day herroepingsrecht, 3-day residential property (BW 7:2), timeshare, package travel. Translate as "reflection period" or "cooling-off period" depending on context.
- **Conformiteit (BW 7:17)**: Statutory requirement that goods sold match expectations. Durability is part of conformity — no fixed period but presumption of conformity violated if defect arises within 1 year (consumer sales post-2022). Translate as "conformity" — flag 1-year presumption if relevant.
- **Klachttermijn (BW 7:23)**: Consumer must notify non-conformity "within a reasonable time" — 2 months from discovery is safe. Shorter periods ineffective against consumers. Professional parties have stricter requirements. Translate as "complaint period" and note special rules.
- **Hierarchy of remedies (BW 7:21-22)**: Consumer first entitled to repair or replacement (seller's choice); if impossible/disproportionate/not done promptly, price reduction or rescission. Rescission unavailable for minor non-conformity. Translate carefully; hierarchy is mandatory.
- **Wettelijke garantie vs commerciële garantie**: Crucial distinction. Wettelijke = statutory conformity obligation (BW 7:17), no fixed term but durability-based. Commerciële = voluntary additional trader guarantee. Traders often confuse consumers; always clarify in translation.
- **Zwarte lijst / grijze lijst (BW 6:236/6:237)**: Dutch unique pre-emptive lists of unreasonable standard terms in consumer contracts. Zwarte (black) list terms are always unreasonable; grijze (grey) list terms presumed unreasonable unless trader proves reasonableness. Translate as "black list" / "grey list" with gloss.
- **Reflexwerking**: Extension of consumer protection (particularly algemene voorwaarden rules) to SMEs and smaller professional parties in comparable position to consumers. Judicial doctrine. Translate as "reflex effect" / "reflex application" with gloss.
- **Kernbedingen**: Core terms of a contract (price, main subject matter) — not subject to general unfairness review under BW 6:231, but subject to transparency requirement. Analogous to EU UCTD Art. 4(2). Translate as "core terms".
- **Wet van Dam (2010/2011)**: Restricts tacit renewal of consumer contracts. After initial term (max 1 year with valid tacit renewal), consumer can cancel monthly. Specific consumer/retail applications: magazines, gym memberships, phone contracts. Translate as "Van Dam Act" with gloss.
- **"Bestellen met betalingsverplichting"**: Mandatory wording on order button for consumer online purchases (BW 6:230v(3)). No alternative language acceptable. If missing, consumer not bound. Translate as "order with obligation to pay" — preserve specificity.
- **Omnibus-richtlijn / prijsreductie**: EU Directive 2019/2161 — since 2022, advertised price reductions must reference the lowest price in the 30 days preceding. Anti-fake-sale rule. Dutch implementation in BW 6:193g. Key for retail/e-commerce translation.
- **ACM (Autoriteit Consument en Markt)**: Combined Dutch competition and consumer protection authority. Primary enforcer of consumer rules, unfair terms, unfair practices. Translate as "Authority for Consumers and Markets"; preserve ACM acronym.
- **Reclame Code / RCC**: Dutch self-regulatory advertising framework. Rulings not binding in strict legal sense but widely followed and affect brand. Translate as "Dutch Advertising Code" / "Advertising Code Committee".
- **Consumentenbond**: Influential Dutch consumer NGO. Publishes comparative tests, lobbies, supports individual complaints. Translate as "Consumers' Association" or "Consumentenbond" with gloss; well-known brand.
- **Geschillencommissie**: Sectoral consumer ADR covering 50+ sectors (travel, telecom, energy, electronics, etc.). Decisions are binding via bindend advies (BW 7:900+). Low cost, relatively fast. Flag where contract references specific Geschillencommissie.
- **Consumentenkrediet**: Covered by BW 7:57+ (Wet consumentenkrediet repealed 2006 and integrated into BW). Maximum cost cap of 14% APR for most consumer credit (2024 level). BKR registration required. Flag for credit product translations.
- **Product liability (BW 6:185+)**: Dutch implementation of EU Product Liability Directive 85/374/EEC. Strict producer liability for defective products. New PLD (EU 2024/2853) applying from December 2026 — expanded scope to software, AI systems, etc. Flag for 2024+ product claims.
- **GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)**: EU 2023/988 applicable since 13 December 2024 — replaces GPSD. Extended scope, online marketplace obligations, recall rules, new mandatory information. Critical for e-commerce. Translate as "General Product Safety Regulation".
- **NVWA**: Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority — enforces product safety, food labeling, animal welfare. Translate as "Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority" or retain acronym.
- **Franchise law (BW Book 7 Title 16)**: Wet franchise since 2021 — codified franchise-specific duties. Pre-contractual information duty (standstill 4 weeks), consent rights on changes, mandatory good-faith provisions. Translate as "Franchise Act"; flag 2021 effective date.
- **Digital content (BW 7:50aa+)**: Implements Digital Content Directive (EU) 2019/770. Conformity, updates, remedies for digital content/services. Applies even if paid only with personal data. Translate as "digital content" / "digital service"; distinguish from conventional goods.
- **Greenwashing / green claims**: High-enforcement area. ACM issued Leidraad Duurzaamheidsclaims (2021, updated). Empowering Consumers Directive transposition deadline 2026. Translate claims carefully; preserve qualifiers ("CO2-neutraal door compensatie" ≠ "CO2-neutraal" unqualified).
- **Belgian consumer law**: Belgian Code of Economic Law Book VI — similar EU-directive implementation but different numbering. Belgian consumer authorities are FPS Economy and Economic Inspectorate. Flag Belgian documents.
- **DSA / DMA**: EU Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act directly applicable. Affects online platforms' consumer-facing operations. Translate as "DSA" / "DMA" — preserve abbreviations.
- **Dutch information duties**: Very extensive under BW 6:230m for distance and off-premises contracts. Checklist includes identity, contact, price, payment, delivery, conformity, complaint handling, right of withdrawal, etc. Translate fully in regulatory/compliance translations; flag omissions.
