The Authority for Consumers & Markets (“ACM“) recently announced its 2025 agenda (link). This agenda outlines the regulator’s priorities and focus areas for the coming years. Among other things, the ACM wishes to get ready for the challenges of our time and has defined three focus areas in that context. There are also plans to conduct market surveys in certain sectors. In the blog below, you can read what the ACM plans to do in the coming year, and what this could mean for you.
Focus points voor 2025
This year, the ACM will focus on three key societal themes. In this way, the ACM wishes to ensure the healthy functioning of the markets concerned, and protect consumers’ interests in these rapidly developing themes. This year’s focus is on:
- Promoting an open and fair digital economy;
- Accelerating the energy transition; and
- Developing a more sustainable economy.
The focus points for 2025 are a continuation of the focus work for 2024 (link). The focus from 2024 will be further pursued by more specific and targeted actions in 2025, with a stronger emphasis on digital innovation, energy flexibility and supply chain sustainability.
Digital economy
The Dutch economy is becoming increasingly digitised. This brings opportunities for economic growth and innovation on the one hand, but also risks on the other. The ACM will therefore pay attention to protecting consumers, especially vulnerable groups such as minors, while promoting economic growth and innovation. Areas of focus include:
- More oversight of big tech companies to prevent abuse of power;
- Taking action against abuse, deception and manipulation in online sales and gaming; and
- Strengthening data protection and consumer privacy rights.
Energy transition
The ACM is also committed to a rapid energy transition. The ACM aims for a reliable and sustainable energy supply for all people and businesses, now and in the future. In that context, the ACM plans, among other things, to reduce grid congestion and improve flexible grid use in the coming year. In addition, the ACM will promote renewable energy sources and design new regulatory methods for grid operators for future-proof infrastructure.
Sustainable economy
The ACM supports the development of a sustainable economy. The focus is on ensuring a level playing field between companies and providing clarity for companies when cooperating for sustainability purposes within competition rules. The ACM also wants to ensure that consumers can trust information on sustainability provided by companies.
Market research
In 2025, the ACM will launch five new general market reviews. Specifically, it will look at (i) veterinary practices, (ii) (digital) learning resources, (iii) computerised consumer prices, (iv) the fixed internet budget segment and (v) the development of the hydrogen market. In this way, the ACM can look at the (dis)functioning of these markets without concrete suspicions of violations. For instance, in the veterinary practice market, the issue is that many practices have become owned by investment funds in recent years, which may have led to sharp price increases.
In its market studies, the ACM will use its new “Methodology for market research” published in February 2025 (link). In this document, the ACM describes the reasons for (the selection of) market investigations and the process of market investigations.
What does this mean for you?
The ACM’s 2025 agenda could be significant for several parties. For companies, it is likely that increased compliance requirements will be introduced, especially in the digital sector. More enforcement can also be expected with regard to dissemination of (online) disinformation on sustainability issues or misconduct related to online sales or gaming. Furthermore, the ACM wishes to encourage a healthy market and create more opportunities for companies to realise sustainability initiatives.
Consumers can also expect some change. For instance, protecting consumer rights (especially within the focus areas) is one of the ACM’s priorities, and it intends to achieve healthy markets and price formation for consumers through its market investigations. Companies active in the sectors under investigation by the ACM, can expect to receive questions from the ACM.
Do you have any questions on this topic? Or do you, as a company, need support in contacting the ACM? Feel free to contact Monika Beck or one of our other specialists.
