{"id":23956796,"date":"2025-12-02T17:20:51","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T16:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fairresourcefoundation.org\/stichting-open-laat-kansen-voor-versnelling-circulaire-transitie-liggen-bij-avv-aanvraag\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T12:09:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T11:09:44","slug":"stichting-open-laat-kansen-voor-versnelling-circulaire-transitie-liggen-bij-avv-aanvraag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fairresourcefoundation.org\/en\/stichting-open-laat-kansen-voor-versnelling-circulaire-transitie-liggen-bij-avv-aanvraag\/","title":{"rendered":"Stichting OPEN misses opportunities to accelerate the circular transition in its application for a general binding declaration"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A <\/span>General Binding Declaration<\/span><\/a> (In dutch: AVV) is a powerful instrument: it grants a single producer responsibility organization (PRO) a legal monopoly position in the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR). In the Netherlands, several EPR systems have a <\/span>valid AVV<\/span><\/a>, including <\/span>Verpact<\/span><\/a> for packaging and <\/span>Stichting OPEN<\/span><\/a> for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Since 2021, Stichting OPEN is the sole party implementing the EPR for EEE; the first AVV was <\/span>granted<\/span><\/a> in that year for a period of five years and expires on December 31, 2025. Consequently, Stichting OPEN submitted a new <\/span>AVV application<\/span><\/a> in April 2025. Meanwhile, Stichting OPEN’s system has <\/span>failed<\/span><\/a> to meet the statutory <\/span>collection targets<\/span><\/a> for the last few years.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article is our response to the new AVV request from Stichting OPEN and the <\/span>draft decision<\/span><\/a> by the State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W). Our response focuses on four key points: (1) governance within Stichting OPEN, (2) the circularity ambition of the Action Plan 2025\u20132030, (3) the functioning of the current AVV instrument, and (4) the consultation procedure and the extent to which stakeholders can actually influence the draft decision that is currently on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/b><\/h2>\n

1 – Governance structure of Stichting Open<\/b><\/h2>\n

Increasing attention is being drawn to the lack of inclusive decision-making within PROs. For example, municipalities have an <\/span>unclear role<\/span><\/a>, many service providers are <\/span>dependent on PROs<\/span><\/a>, and it is difficult for the government to <\/span>enforce regulations<\/span><\/a>. For this reason, there have been <\/span>repeated pleas<\/span><\/a> for inclusive governance, with a broader group of chain actors represented in the management of PROs. In order to assess the application of Stichting OPEN, the governance structure was one of the elements we looked at. <\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”99″ width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0%|5%|0%|5%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”2%||0%||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”2%||0%||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fairresourcefoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/community-6706845_1280.jpg” title_text=”community-6706845_1280″ url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0%||0%||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Soulcraft Wide|||on|||||” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Soulcraft Wide||||||||” header_3_text_color=”gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9″ header_3_font_size=”1.8vw” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”4vw” header_3_font_size_phone=”5vw” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9%22:%91%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_3_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

The <\/span>AVV Monitoring Report 2024<\/span><\/a> shows that Stichting OPEN is <\/span>structured<\/span><\/a> with a board, an advisory council, a purchasing company, and an <\/span>alliance<\/span><\/a> that serves as a chain partnership. The division of tasks is as follows. The board sets the fees and the budget and consists mainly of representatives of producer industry organizations, including<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”99″ width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0.1%|5%|0.1%|5%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”2%||0%||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”2%||0%||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Soulcraft Wide|||on|||||” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Soulcraft Wide||||||||” header_3_text_color=”gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9″ header_3_font_size=”1.8vw” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”4vw” header_3_font_size_phone=”5vw” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9%22:%91%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_3_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

Stichting Lightrec<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>APPLIA Nederland Stichting E-waste Circulair (ANStEC)<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Stichting Zonne-energie Recycling Nederland<\/span><\/a> (now merged into <\/span>Holland Solar<\/span><\/a>), and <\/span>Stichting Metalelektrorecycling<\/span><\/a>. The Advisory Board consists of representatives of social and academic organizations, such as <\/span>ROVA<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>FNV<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>de Consumentenbond<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Capgemini<\/span><\/a>, and provides non-binding strategic advice. Purchasing and contracting are carried out by <\/span>Afvalbeheerstructuur AEEA B.V<\/span><\/a>., managed by the purchasing manager at Stichting OPEN.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although this structure appears broad on paper, there are a number of points that deserve attention in practice. First, voting weights in the board are based on the number of products brought to market that the parties represent, which means that larger producers have a direct influence on decision-making. Other parties in the chain, such as municipalities and repairers, have no formal decision-making power, even though they play an important role in achieving the legal objectives. This distribution of votes raises the question of whose interests are primarily being represented. After all, the interests of a company such as Miele or Bosch are very different from those of a company such as Fairphone.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Through its advisory board and alliance, Stichting OPEN does involve a broad group of stakeholders in projects and thematic development, but these consultative groups have no role in strategic decision-making. Involving a broader group of stakeholders in actual decisions ensures an appropriate balance between interests and offers great opportunities to better utilize the opinions and expertise from across the chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In addition, there are signs of insufficient transparency in the fees and cost structure within Stichting OPEN, as was <\/span>indicated<\/span><\/a> during the ANStEC <\/span>producers’ council meeting<\/span><\/a>. The transparency of a PRO, especially one in a monopoly position, is essential to ensure the availability of reliable information, clear financial agreements, and the possibility of enforcement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The governance of Stichting OPEN is therefore formally broad in structure, but in practice it is dominated by producers, with limited transparency and insufficient participation from chain partners. There is still room for improvement here, but this opportunity has not been seized in the new AVV application.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2 – The Action Plan 2025-2030<\/b><\/h2>\n

Stichting OPEN has drawn up an <\/span>Action Plan 2025-2030<\/span><\/a> with fifteen priority actions, with which it expects to achieve the collection target of 85% of waste EEE from <\/span>Directive 2012\/19<\/span><\/a> in 2028. This action plan has been added to the AVV request, as it forms an important part of the supporting evidence for the effectiveness of the EPR system. Although the State Secretary already indicates in the draft decision that this action plan would be in line with the <\/span>NPCE<\/span><\/a> targets for extending the life cycle and high-quality recycling of critical raw materials, among other things, in practice the plan focuses almost exclusively on collection and recycling and pays minimal attention to preparation for reuse.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”99″ width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0%|5%|0%|5%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”2%||0%||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”2%||0%||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fairresourcefoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pexels-vlad-1445510816-31862950-scaled.jpg” title_text=”pexels-vlad-1445510816-31862950″ url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0%||0%||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Soulcraft Wide|||on|||||” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Soulcraft Wide||||||||” header_3_text_color=”gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9″ header_3_font_size=”1.8vw” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”4vw” header_3_font_size_phone=”5vw” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9%22:%91%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_3_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

The fifteen proposed measures are mainly located on the lower steps of the <\/span>R ladder<\/span><\/a>. Prevention, life extension, reuse, and circular design are not or only partially elaborated. The actions related to reuse are mainly logistical optimizations that facilitate reuse but do not stimulate it; they hardly focus on repair, refurbishment, or life extension. The vast majority of the actions focus on collection and recycling, which are<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”99″ width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0.1%|5%|0.1%|5%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”2%||0%||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”2%||0%||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Soulcraft Wide|||on|||||” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Soulcraft Wide||||||||” header_3_text_color=”gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9″ header_3_font_size=”1.8vw” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”4vw” header_3_font_size_phone=”5vw” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9%22:%91%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_3_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

useful for achieving the collection target, but do not contribute to achieving the higher R strategies (prevention, life extension, reuse). The inclusion of a mandatory reuse target for Stichting OPEN, as also proposed in the <\/span>circular economy committee debate<\/span><\/a> in September 2025, could partially correct this. This might, for example, be incorporated into the announced <\/span>revision<\/span><\/a> of Directive 12\/2019. However, the greater potential for Stichting OPEN lies in actively promoting circularity throughout the entire electronics chain, not just in the waste phase.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concrete actions to this end are hence absent from the action plan. This is striking, because existing initiatives in the Netherlands, such as the <\/span>Lang Leve Elektronica (LLE)<\/span><\/a> coalition, demonstrate that measures in the use phase are indeed possible and effective. The LLE coalition is working on <\/span>concrete solutions<\/span><\/a> for better use and longer life spans of electronics. These initiatives prove that when the chain is brought together, significant circular gains can be made.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not included in the Action Plan, but referred to in the 2024 Monitoring Report, is that Stichting OPEN provides funding to <\/span>Repair Caf\u00e9<\/span><\/a>, participates in the LLE coalition, and has been involved in <\/span>BKN<\/span><\/a> pilots. They are also a project partner in the <\/span>E-waste race<\/span><\/a>, which focuses on education. These activities are valuable, but given their <\/span>central position<\/span><\/a> within the EPR system, a more proactive and pioneering role would be appropriate, with an initial opportunity already available in the <\/span>Taskforce Circulaire Elektronica Keten<\/span><\/a> set up by Stichting OPEN. <\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”99″ width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%|5%|2%|5%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”2%||0%||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”2%||0%||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Soulcraft Wide|||on|||||” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Soulcraft Wide||||||||” header_3_text_color=”gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9″ header_3_font_size=”1.8vw” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”4vw” header_3_font_size_phone=”5vw” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9%22:%91%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_3_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

<\/b><\/h2>\n

3 – The instrument of Generally Binding Declarations\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

The most important question is whether granting a monopoly position to a party with an AVV actually leads to <\/span>better performing EPR systems<\/span><\/a>. To date, there is no clear answer to this question. In the case of Stichting OPEN, it appears that the objectives have not been achieved for years, while a lot of <\/span>financial resources<\/span><\/a> are flowing back to the producers. This is completely contrary to the \u2018polluter pays\u2019 principle.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a <\/span>letter<\/span><\/a> from the State Secretary on the further development of EPR, it is acknowledged that the concentration of power resulting from an AVV entails risks, including possible negative side effects for the market and competitive conditions. The same letter also announces the current <\/span>EPR revision<\/span><\/a> (Doorontwikkeltraject UPV) with the aim of ensuring greater circularity in EPR, in which <\/span>Rijkswaterstaat<\/span><\/a> is investigating, among other things, the functioning of the AVV instrument itself in one of the five work packages. Results are expected to be sent to parliament at the end of 2025. <\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”99″ width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” min_height=”307.8px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0%|5%|0%|5%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”2%||0%||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”2%||0%||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fairresourcefoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/pexels-goumbik-590022-scaled.jpg” title_text=”pexels-goumbik-590022″ url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0%||0%||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Soulcraft Wide|||on|||||” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Soulcraft Wide||||||||” header_3_text_color=”gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9″ header_3_font_size=”1.8vw” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”4vw” header_3_font_size_phone=”5vw” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9%22:%91%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_3_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

In addition, <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> conducted by Utrecht University emphasizes that there are concerns about the representativeness of PROs that producers are required to join through a collective agreement. The research shows that not all producers feel well represented in a monopoly PRO. The <\/span>NVRD<\/span><\/a> and its members also often have interests that differ from those of the PRO. Furthermore, there are doubts as to whether a monopoly PRO actually leads to better performing EPR systems, as described in an earlier <\/span>article<\/span><\/a> by Fair Resource Foundation about Stichting OPEN.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”99″ width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1.3%|5%|1.3%|5%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”2%||0%||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”2%||0%||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Soulcraft Wide|||on|||||” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Soulcraft Wide||||||||” header_3_text_color=”gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9″ header_3_font_size=”1.8vw” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”4vw” header_3_font_size_phone=”5vw” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-77784515-52da-45c3-b038-e5c2d51b4bf9%22:%91%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_3_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

Internationally, the Dutch approach is exceptional. In countries such as Belgium (with <\/span>Recupel<\/span><\/a> for EEE), producers can also submit an individual waste management plan and are <\/span>not required<\/span><\/a> to join a single PRO. Although it is possible to apply for an exemption from the AVV in the Netherlands, the fact remains that an AVV is not a natural part of EPR, but a policy choice in the Netherlands.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>assessment framework<\/span><\/a> for an AVV is based on the criterion of effective waste management (<\/span>Art. 15.36 Environmental Management Act<\/span><\/a>). In practice, however, effectiveness is mainly interpreted as efficiently collected and recycled waste, while the higher steps of the R ladder are hardly taken into account. This is reflected in the Action Plan 2025\u20132030 of Stichting OPEN.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the draft decision, the system is once again assessed as effective, because the Action Plan would make it plausible that the objectives will be achieved in 2028 and because the AVV offers financial stability. However, this assessment is identical to that of the previous <\/span>AVV application<\/span><\/a>, even though the objectives at that time were not achieved. This shows that the effectiveness criterion is not being applied rigorously enough in practice, especially since the highest steps of the R ladder are not taken into account and there are <\/span>few consequences<\/span><\/a> if Stichting OPEN fails to achieve its objectives on a structural basis. The assessment should therefore take a critical look at the objective – and the lack of objectives – before the designation \u201ceffective\u201d can be granted.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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4 – The consultation procedure<\/b><\/h2>\n

The procedure for an AVV application, laid down in <\/span>Section 3.4 of the General Administrative Law<\/span><\/a>, includes a six-week consultation period for the draft decision, during which interested parties can submit their views. After this phase, the final decision is made, and it is no longer possible to appeal. Although the consultation period provides opportunities for<\/span><\/p>\n

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participation, in practice questions arise about the actual influence that stakeholders can exert. The consultation period only takes place after a draft decision has already been made, in which the State Secretary has already assessed the AVV.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is reflected in the current application from Stichting OPEN. Stichting OPEN submitted the application on April 4, 2025. After responding to the <\/span>request for additional information<\/span><\/a>, the signed agreement was submitted on September 12, 2025. The draft decision was <\/span>published<\/span><\/a> in November 2025 and a six-week consultation period was opened. In this draft decision, the State Secretary has already determined that:<\/span><\/p>\n