Headlines February
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Supervisory authority ACM is investigating Bol
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will investigate Bol. According to the watchdog, there are several signals that the sales platform favors itself and certain entrepreneurs on the platform. Other companies reported to the ACM that their offer is less visible at Bol, although they say they have the best price for a product. They say that the offers from other sellers and the platform itself are easier to find. There are also signals that Bol uses data from other selling parties. According to the ACM, a lot of data is received by the sales platform. It will be checked whether there is any abuse.
'Full cooperation'
The watchdog may conclude that there is no favoritism or data misuse. But if this is the case, it can lead to a fine. But the ACM can also impose on the online store to offer all entrepreneurs equal opportunities. Bol says in a statement that the online store is fully cooperating with the investigation. “Our colleagues are working hard to provide the regulator with all the necessary information to ensure the investigation runs smoothly,” it said .
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2508807-toezichthouder-acm-doet-onderzoek-naar-bol
'Babboe cargo bikes regularly break in half', NVWA is conducting research
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is investigating the Dutch bicycle manufacturer Babboe. The regulator confirms that there are signals that the manufacturer's cargo bikes are not safe, as RTL Nieuws reported today. Babboe, part of Accell Group, said in a statement that it "does not recognize the picture presented".
Frame breaks in half
The investigative editors of RTL Nieuws spoke to former Babboe employees and parents who have a cargo bike. This shows that the frame of the cargo bike breaks in half "with great regularity" while riding. For example, a woman from Hilversum says that she stopped and got off when her steering wheel started to shake very much. "Then I shook the steering wheel for a moment and then clacked it, so it was completely in half. Really in half." Babboe had her bicycle serviced a few months earlier.
"Don't Recognize Us"
According to Babboe, fewer than 20 reports have been received about the Curve model in two years, out of more than 50,000 bicycles sold. “We have investigated and resolved these complaints,” said Pippa Wibberley, director of Babboe. “Given the very low number of bicycles and the nature of the complaints that have also been resolved, we have decided, in accordance with the guidelines, not to report this to the authorities,” says Wibberley.
In 2019, the company recalled the Babboe City, another model, because there may have been a manufacturing defect in the frame. This could cause the frame to sag. According to RTL Nieuws, newer bicycles of this model still break in half. The NVWA announces that it has almost completed its investigation into the safety of the bicycle brand. "We expect to be able to offer consumers clarity in the very short term," says a spokesperson.
Source: https://nos.nl/l/2508191
Picnic distribution center in Zaandam closed due to mouse plague
The distribution center of online supermarket Picnic in Zaandam is struggling with a mouse plague. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has therefore temporarily closed the building, the regulator confirmed after a report in regional media. The mice were found by NVWA inspectors during an inspection on Wednesday. The building was then immediately closed. Customers in the region are supplied with groceries from the distribution center of approximately 20,000 square meters. Picnic now has to get to work on making the building mouse-free, for example by closing holes and cracks. The supermarket has announced that the distribution center will be emptied and that additional cleaning will follow. The company expects that this will take a few days.
Significant costs
"Mice obviously do not belong in a distribution center, so it is very annoying that this has happened," says Picnic. The company must also discard any food without packaging or with "permeable packaging" such as cardboard. This does not apply to food in cans and glass. The fact that the food has to be thrown away is a significant cost item for the company. Picnic also lost money on hiring a cleaning company. It is not known whether the supermarket is insured against this.
New inspection
After the cleaning, the company can request a new inspection from the NVWA. If it determines that hygiene is in order, the distribution center can open again. Picnic customers in the region now receive their groceries from a different distribution center. As a result, items may be delivered "here and there" a little later than usual, but everyone will be taken care of, the company says. The NVWA cannot say how often it happens that a distribution center has to close due to mice. According to a spokesperson, no figures are available on this.
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2507184-distributiecentrum-picnic-in-zaandam-gesloten-om-muizenplaag
Mega fine for Scania 'truck cartel': truck manufacturer must pay 880 million euros
Truck manufacturer Scania made prohibited price agreements with competitors and is being severely punished for this. The Swedish company, with the largest factory in Zwolle, is fined 880 million euros. An appeal to the European Court of Justice was unsuccessful.
Europe's highest court finds that a lower court made no mistakes in an earlier ruling.
Scania was fined in 2017 for prohibited price agreements with five industry peers between 1997 and 2011. According to the European competition authorities, the parties worked together to pass on the costs of emission control measures to customers, so that the companies themselves did not have to cut into their profits. The other manufacturers, including Daimler and DAF, previously agreed to a joint settlement of 2.9 billion euros. Scania did not want to cooperate with that. Today it appears that the European Court of Justice upholds the 2017 judgment.
At Scania, a maximum of 240 trucks roll out of the factory in Zwolle every day. It is unclear whether the fine will have consequences for business operations in Zwolle. A spokesperson refers to the head office in Sweden.
Source: https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/2310047/megaboete-voor-truckkartel-van-scania-vrachtwagenbouwer-moet-880-miljoen-euro-betalen
Computer makes a mistake, health insurer CZ wants millions back (I)
Tens of thousands of customers of health insurer CZ have received higher reimbursement than they were entitled to in the past two years. This is due to an error in the computer that automatically processes declarations. For the insurer, the loss amounts to millions. CZ will get the money back, De Volkskrant reported on Tuesday. The spokesperson cannot say how much money CZ will reclaim. But in most cases it would involve 'penny work'. For customers who are short on cash, CZ points out arrangements with which they can request a deferment of payment or repay the money in installments. According to a spokesperson, the error was made when assessing oral care treatments for people who had taken out additional insurance for this purpose. They were reimbursed for more for a single procedure or multiple treatments than was covered by their policy.
'Not fair'
This concerns coverage for dental treatments that were the result of an accident. In some cases, CZ also paid the practitioner for procedures that were not related to an accident, the newspaper reports. The fact that the insured are not to blame for the error is no reason for CZ to refrain from reclaiming the claim. A spokesperson explains in the newspaper that if the insurer were not to demand the money back, it would mean that all policyholders would have to pay for the error, 'and that is not fair'. For people with a small budget, there is an arrangement that allows them to request a deferral of payment or pay the money in installments.
Source: https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/4414982/computer-maakt-fout-zorgverzekeraar-cz-wil-miljoenen-terug
This went wrong for tens of thousands of CZ customers who received too high compensation (II)
Tens of thousands of customers of health insurer CZ have received higher reimbursement than they were entitled to in the past two years. The fault lies with CZ, but customers must pay back the money. This is what exactly went wrong at the insurer and what customers can expect. This concerns CZ customers who have taken out additional insurance for oral care as a result of an accident. CZ's computer decides whether or not someone receives compensation. "There is no one in between," says spokesperson Rik van Druten. "If you had people do all that, the premium would be much higher." The software gave tens of thousands of people money for dental care, even though this was not caused by an accident at all. It usually amounted to a few tens of euros. CZ will now ask for that money back. The company does not want to say exactly how much money is involved.
Not fair
CZ maintains its position on Tuesday: reimbursement must be made. Isn't that wrong if it is the insurer's fault? "Ultimately, those people were not insured for this. If we do not send the bill, all CZ insured people will pay for those costs. That is not fair either." The premium would then go up. According to him, there are 'no other pots' from which this money can be taken out of leniency. What is going to happen now? Customers have already received an apology letter. They will then receive a letter with the amount they must give back. What if people don't want to pay? "I'm afraid there is no escape from this," says Van Druten. According to him, it is also legally permitted to still send the invoice.
'Ridiculous'
The Tilburg insurer receives little sympathy on social media: "Ridiculous stuff! Isn't it their own fault? They shouldn't let the computers do all the work. We also have to pay. As if we haven't already lost enough to CZ." , a woman writes on Facebook. "Had a nice job that intern," writes another.
"This is of course very annoying. The invoice should have been sent earlier," Van Druten concludes. He appeals to people who cannot afford it. "They can always contact us. We will then see if a payment arrangement is possible." He says CZ has learned from this mistake. “This cannot happen again.”
Source: https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/4415389/dit-ging-mis-bij-tienduizenden-cz-klanten-die-te-hoge-vergoeding-kregen
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will investigate Bol. According to the watchdog, there are several signals that the sales platform favors itself and certain entrepreneurs on the platform. Other companies reported to the ACM that their offer is less visible at Bol, although they say they have the best price for a product. They say that the offers from other sellers and the platform itself are easier to find. There are also signals that Bol uses data from other selling parties. According to the ACM, a lot of data is received by the sales platform. It will be checked whether there is any abuse.
'Full cooperation'
The watchdog may conclude that there is no favoritism or data misuse. But if this is the case, it can lead to a fine. But the ACM can also impose on the online store to offer all entrepreneurs equal opportunities. Bol says in a statement that the online store is fully cooperating with the investigation. “Our colleagues are working hard to provide the regulator with all the necessary information to ensure the investigation runs smoothly,” it said .
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2508807-toezichthouder-acm-doet-onderzoek-naar-bol
'Babboe cargo bikes regularly break in half', NVWA is conducting research
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is investigating the Dutch bicycle manufacturer Babboe. The regulator confirms that there are signals that the manufacturer's cargo bikes are not safe, as RTL Nieuws reported today. Babboe, part of Accell Group, said in a statement that it "does not recognize the picture presented".
Frame breaks in half
The investigative editors of RTL Nieuws spoke to former Babboe employees and parents who have a cargo bike. This shows that the frame of the cargo bike breaks in half "with great regularity" while riding. For example, a woman from Hilversum says that she stopped and got off when her steering wheel started to shake very much. "Then I shook the steering wheel for a moment and then clacked it, so it was completely in half. Really in half." Babboe had her bicycle serviced a few months earlier.
"Don't Recognize Us"
According to Babboe, fewer than 20 reports have been received about the Curve model in two years, out of more than 50,000 bicycles sold. “We have investigated and resolved these complaints,” said Pippa Wibberley, director of Babboe. “Given the very low number of bicycles and the nature of the complaints that have also been resolved, we have decided, in accordance with the guidelines, not to report this to the authorities,” says Wibberley.
In 2019, the company recalled the Babboe City, another model, because there may have been a manufacturing defect in the frame. This could cause the frame to sag. According to RTL Nieuws, newer bicycles of this model still break in half. The NVWA announces that it has almost completed its investigation into the safety of the bicycle brand. "We expect to be able to offer consumers clarity in the very short term," says a spokesperson.
Source: https://nos.nl/l/2508191
Picnic distribution center in Zaandam closed due to mouse plague
The distribution center of online supermarket Picnic in Zaandam is struggling with a mouse plague. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has therefore temporarily closed the building, the regulator confirmed after a report in regional media. The mice were found by NVWA inspectors during an inspection on Wednesday. The building was then immediately closed. Customers in the region are supplied with groceries from the distribution center of approximately 20,000 square meters. Picnic now has to get to work on making the building mouse-free, for example by closing holes and cracks. The supermarket has announced that the distribution center will be emptied and that additional cleaning will follow. The company expects that this will take a few days.
Significant costs
"Mice obviously do not belong in a distribution center, so it is very annoying that this has happened," says Picnic. The company must also discard any food without packaging or with "permeable packaging" such as cardboard. This does not apply to food in cans and glass. The fact that the food has to be thrown away is a significant cost item for the company. Picnic also lost money on hiring a cleaning company. It is not known whether the supermarket is insured against this.
New inspection
After the cleaning, the company can request a new inspection from the NVWA. If it determines that hygiene is in order, the distribution center can open again. Picnic customers in the region now receive their groceries from a different distribution center. As a result, items may be delivered "here and there" a little later than usual, but everyone will be taken care of, the company says. The NVWA cannot say how often it happens that a distribution center has to close due to mice. According to a spokesperson, no figures are available on this.
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2507184-distributiecentrum-picnic-in-zaandam-gesloten-om-muizenplaag
Mega fine for Scania 'truck cartel': truck manufacturer must pay 880 million euros
Truck manufacturer Scania made prohibited price agreements with competitors and is being severely punished for this. The Swedish company, with the largest factory in Zwolle, is fined 880 million euros. An appeal to the European Court of Justice was unsuccessful.
Europe's highest court finds that a lower court made no mistakes in an earlier ruling.
Scania was fined in 2017 for prohibited price agreements with five industry peers between 1997 and 2011. According to the European competition authorities, the parties worked together to pass on the costs of emission control measures to customers, so that the companies themselves did not have to cut into their profits. The other manufacturers, including Daimler and DAF, previously agreed to a joint settlement of 2.9 billion euros. Scania did not want to cooperate with that. Today it appears that the European Court of Justice upholds the 2017 judgment.
At Scania, a maximum of 240 trucks roll out of the factory in Zwolle every day. It is unclear whether the fine will have consequences for business operations in Zwolle. A spokesperson refers to the head office in Sweden.
Source: https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/2310047/megaboete-voor-truckkartel-van-scania-vrachtwagenbouwer-moet-880-miljoen-euro-betalen
Computer makes a mistake, health insurer CZ wants millions back (I)
Tens of thousands of customers of health insurer CZ have received higher reimbursement than they were entitled to in the past two years. This is due to an error in the computer that automatically processes declarations. For the insurer, the loss amounts to millions. CZ will get the money back, De Volkskrant reported on Tuesday. The spokesperson cannot say how much money CZ will reclaim. But in most cases it would involve 'penny work'. For customers who are short on cash, CZ points out arrangements with which they can request a deferment of payment or repay the money in installments. According to a spokesperson, the error was made when assessing oral care treatments for people who had taken out additional insurance for this purpose. They were reimbursed for more for a single procedure or multiple treatments than was covered by their policy.
'Not fair'
This concerns coverage for dental treatments that were the result of an accident. In some cases, CZ also paid the practitioner for procedures that were not related to an accident, the newspaper reports. The fact that the insured are not to blame for the error is no reason for CZ to refrain from reclaiming the claim. A spokesperson explains in the newspaper that if the insurer were not to demand the money back, it would mean that all policyholders would have to pay for the error, 'and that is not fair'. For people with a small budget, there is an arrangement that allows them to request a deferral of payment or pay the money in installments.
Source: https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/4414982/computer-maakt-fout-zorgverzekeraar-cz-wil-miljoenen-terug
This went wrong for tens of thousands of CZ customers who received too high compensation (II)
Tens of thousands of customers of health insurer CZ have received higher reimbursement than they were entitled to in the past two years. The fault lies with CZ, but customers must pay back the money. This is what exactly went wrong at the insurer and what customers can expect. This concerns CZ customers who have taken out additional insurance for oral care as a result of an accident. CZ's computer decides whether or not someone receives compensation. "There is no one in between," says spokesperson Rik van Druten. "If you had people do all that, the premium would be much higher." The software gave tens of thousands of people money for dental care, even though this was not caused by an accident at all. It usually amounted to a few tens of euros. CZ will now ask for that money back. The company does not want to say exactly how much money is involved.
Not fair
CZ maintains its position on Tuesday: reimbursement must be made. Isn't that wrong if it is the insurer's fault? "Ultimately, those people were not insured for this. If we do not send the bill, all CZ insured people will pay for those costs. That is not fair either." The premium would then go up. According to him, there are 'no other pots' from which this money can be taken out of leniency. What is going to happen now? Customers have already received an apology letter. They will then receive a letter with the amount they must give back. What if people don't want to pay? "I'm afraid there is no escape from this," says Van Druten. According to him, it is also legally permitted to still send the invoice.
'Ridiculous'
The Tilburg insurer receives little sympathy on social media: "Ridiculous stuff! Isn't it their own fault? They shouldn't let the computers do all the work. We also have to pay. As if we haven't already lost enough to CZ." , a woman writes on Facebook. "Had a nice job that intern," writes another.
"This is of course very annoying. The invoice should have been sent earlier," Van Druten concludes. He appeals to people who cannot afford it. "They can always contact us. We will then see if a payment arrangement is possible." He says CZ has learned from this mistake. “This cannot happen again.”
Source: https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/4415389/dit-ging-mis-bij-tienduizenden-cz-klanten-die-te-hoge-vergoeding-kregen
Translated from Dutch to English with Google translate