Interim Step in Tackling Regulatory Burden: Cabinet Removes and Simplifies 218 Rules for Entrepreneurs

Minister Karremans: “The governments reflex is to manage risks with rules, often down to the last detail. As a result, many entrepreneurs lose their desire to do business. This stifles our business climate and thus our earning capacity. Therefore, cutting back on regulatory burden is urgently needed.”

Since September, ministries have mapped out rules that unnecessarily burden entrepreneurs. This process used input from entrepreneurs and industry organizations, studies at SME indicator companies in nine sectors, signals from the Advisory Board on Regulatory Burden Assessment (ATR), and evaluations of existing laws and regulations. This approach has resulted in a list of 218 rules that are now actually being addressed by the responsible ministries.

Examples include:

• No more annual mobility reporting for companies with up to 250 employees (IenW)

Small and medium-sized companies no longer have to track and report how employees travel. This eliminates an annual reporting obligation and associated administration.

• Exemption from the tachograph requirement for light electric commercial vehicles (IenW)

Entrepreneurs driving electric delivery and small trucks no longer need to install separate equipment or manually track working and rest times. This saves costs, control obligations, and time.

• Fewer mandatory CBS questionnaires for companies (EZ)

Entrepreneurs need to fill out statistical forms less often and less extensively. This saves time, paperwork, and administrative costs.

• First a warning for late sickness or recovery notifications at the UWV (SZW)

Employers do not immediately receive a fine if they accidentally report sickness late to the UWV. This reduces the risk of high costs and saves objection procedures and legal work.

• Company doctor advice becomes leading in UWV reintegration assessments (SZW)

Employers can now rely on the company doctors judgment without fear that the UWV will later deviate from it. This reduces the chance of additional obligations and lengthy, costly procedures.

Part of the regulatory burden stems from European legislation. The Netherlands has joined the simplification approach of the European Commission and also makes proposals itself to make existing regulations simpler and more workable.

Additionally, the cabinet works closely with entrepreneurs and implementing organizations to make rules more workable. An example is the joint approach around anti-money laundering rules, where government, supervisors, and the business community collaborate to reduce administrative burdens.