Collars for animals

It’s been decided to stop the sale of electric shock collars and prong collars for animals in the Netherlands and Belgium. The reason for this is the amendment to Article 2.1 of the Animals Act, which states that there’s a legal total ban on the use of electric shock and prong collars in the Netherlands. In the case of electric shock collars, this concerns in particular equipment with which the owner can cause the animal pain by means of electric shocks, electromagnetic signals or radiation.

Because we put the safety and health of animals above business interests, we choose to go further than the legislation in this regard. That’s why it’s been decided not to offer these items in Belgium either. Electric shock collars will also be banned there in 2027.

Animal materials

It’s not allowed to sell items via bol that consist of real fur, such as angora or mohair. By real fur we mean: animal skin, or parts thereof, with hair or fur in processed or unprocessed form, or fur of an animal. It’s also not allowed to sell real animals via bol, such as frozen chicks.

The following materials are permitted:

• Synthetic materials that look like fur
• Animal skins (or parts thereof) from sheep, cows, goats and reindeer (with the exception of the angora goat)
• Wool (with the exception of angora and mohair wool)

Protected animal species

We don’t offer items via our platform made from material from endangered animal species. These animal species are on the lists of CITES and/or IUCN. You can’t sell items via bol in which protected animals have been used. Not even if you have a valid permit, declaration, or licence for this.

For example, the following materials aren’t allowed:

• Ivory
• Exotic leather (for example, snake leather and crocodile leather)

Plant-based materials

We don’t offer items via our platform made from material from plant species that are threatened with extinction. These species are on the lists of CITES and/or IUCN. If you have items that are partly or entirely made of protected plants, you may not offer them via bol. Not even if you have a valid permit, declaration or licence for this.

For example, the following materials aren’t allowed:

• Red coral (blood coral)
• Rosewood

Discover protected plant species with the CITES checklist (English & French)
Discover the (seriously) endangered animal species with the IUCN list

Pests

Mouse and rat poison

Since June 29, 2023, it is no longer permitted to sell mouse and rat poison based on anticoagulants in the Netherlands. Alpha chloralose, however, is permitted. If you want to offer mouse and rat poison through bol, you must always mention the approval number for the relevant country in the product information. More information about approval numbers can be found below.

Adhesive strips and glue boards

Since June 29, 2023, it is no longer permitted to sell mouse and rat poison based on anticoagulants in the Netherlands. Alpha chloralose, however, is permitted. If you want to offer mouse and rat poison through bol, you must always mention the approval number for the relevant country in the product information. More information about approval numbers can be found below.

Promotion of dog and cat breeds

We don’t promote items that are linked to dog and cat breeds that run health risks due to harmful external characteristics. For example, short-nosed breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Persian cats. For this reason we don’t use items that depict these breeds in our marketing expressions. You’ll find the complete list of breeds and more information on Dier&Recht.

Animal testing

Cosmetics sold on bol must be cruelty-free. Because you can’t sell items that aren’t cruelty-free via our platform, it’s not allowed to claim the ‘cruelty-free’ property.