The Dutch boards
Virtually every sector of the economy in the Netherlands is organised in one way or another, usually to ensure that certain sector-specific affairs are properly regulated. One particular regulatory structure is the commodity or industrial board.

Such boards can be found in a wide variety of different sectors, including horticulture, arable farming, retail, plastering and hospitality. It is up to every sector to decide whether to install a board. That is why some sectors have boards and others do not.

One of the most significant features of a board is that it covers the entire sector. In other words, all enterprises in the sector are required to adhere to the board’s rules.

That means that the boards are public administrative bodies – in other words, a government authority just like the municipal or provincial government. But they are a special government authority, and their duties are limited to specific sectors. In all their activities, the boards must make both the general interest and the interests of the relevant sector a key priority.

As unique government authorities with exceptional powers, the boards must be properly monitored. This task is entrusted to various ministries and to the Social and Economic Council.

For more details about the Dutch industrial and community boards we refer to the information available on the website of the Social and Economic Council.

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