The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will be the new name for the merged authority created by the combination of the Netherlands Consumer Authority, the Independent Post and Telecommunications Authority of the Netherlands (OPTA), and the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa). This name is laid down in the bill concerning the establishment of the new authority, the proposal for which is currently at advisory stage. Chris Fonteijn, the Chairman-to-be of the new authority, reacts: ‘The name is succinct yet solid, one that immediately makes clear what the new authority stands for: making markets work in order to protect consumer interests.’
The consolidation of these three authorities is realized through two separate bills: the earlier mentioned establishment bill and a substantive bill. Mr. Fonteijn, currently still Chairman of the Board of the NMa and Chairman of the Commission of OPTA, explains: ‘The former bill concerns the creation of the new authority, making sure its independent position is properly secured.’ The new authority will be run by a board, consisting of three members, and governing in a spirit of collegiality. It will focus on three main themes: consumer protection, industry-specific regulation, and competition oversight. Governance anchored in collegiality will safeguard the coherence between these three themes. The substantive bill will simplify procedures, and streamline powers.
More information
More information is available from Paul Trienekens, spokesperson ConsuWijzer, phone: (070) 330 59 71, mobile (06) 43004971, e-mail: pers@consuwijzer.nl
