Read on this page everything you need to know about the assortment policy for sustainability
Plastic
Where necessary, bol takes the lead on legislation when it is known that a product in production or use is harmful to the health or safety of customers. Within the EU, there is a ban on the sale of single-use plastic, also known as disposable plastic items. Therefore, items such as disposable plastic cups, straws, and cotton swabs are undesirable on the platform. Bio plastics such as biodegradable plastic, PLA, and starch plastics are also not allowed. On this page of the European Commission, you can see exactly which specific items are undesirable.
In addition, as a platform, we want to take responsibility and contribute to combating plastic litter. That’s why on October 9, 2022, we signed the Spatplastic Covenant. This means that water balloons and plastic confetti are also undesirable on the platform.
This policy also includes, among other things:
- Gift packages containing water balloons or plastic confetti
- (Table) confetti or streamers with a foil layer
- Balloons with plastic confetti inside
Statutory warranty
Customers are entitled to a product that does what it promises. In most European countries, the warranty period is at least two years. Some product groups are not covered by this statutory warranty, such as food, drinks and single-use products.
From 22 July 2026, we will show a clear notice for other products. This way, customers know exactly what their rights are when they order through bol.
Deviation from Dutch law
Dutch law differs from the two-year warranty period commonly applied within the European Union. Dutch law does not set a fixed two-year period, but instead refers to the product’s reasonably expected lifespan. This period is therefore not fixed and differs per product. When determining this period, the law looks at the type of product, price category, brand reputation and any statements made by the seller. The economic lifespan of, for example, a washing machine in the higher market segment can be as long as 12 years. A customer may then claim the statutory warranty if a washing machine becomes defective within 12 years.
Customers are already legally entitled to a warranty. Under the new European EmpCo Directive, we will inform them even more clearly about this going forward. We will therefore add the statutory warranty label to your products. This helps customers make an informed choice.
Bol will automatically add these labels to the relevant product pages. You do not need to do anything yourself. This way, we comply with the new rules together.
Commercial warranty
Customers are entitled to a product that does what it promises. In most European countries, the warranty period is at least two years. A commercial warranty is an additional warranty that a manufacturer or producer, or sometimes the seller, voluntarily offers in addition to the existing statutory warranty. If this applies to your product, you must show the GARAN label so the customer can easily see how much commercial warranty applies to the product.
The GARAN label shown with a product must state the number of years of commercial warranty in figures. The GARAN label is therefore tailored to the specific product with which it is shown. Showing this label to the consumer is mandatory. Bol needs data from you as a selling partner to demonstrate the commercial warranty for a product.
Does this apply to your product? Then you must provide the GARAN label, as shown in the example (image 2), as proof for your product in PDF, JPEG or PNG format. You can attach this to the relevant product via your selling account.
Available spare parts
For several product groups, spare parts must be available for a certain period, 7 or 10 years, after the product has been placed on the market in order to promote repair. This obligation applies to manufacturers/producers and applies to the following product groups:
- Mobile phones
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Dryers
- Refrigerators
- TV screens
- Vacuum cleaners, excluding robot vacuum cleaners
- Welding machines
- E-bikes
- Servers and storage products
For other product groups, this is currently not yet mandatory.
Additional product information
In addition to the information customers receive about the warranty, other information fields can be completed so they become visible to the customer.
- Other warranties: Any additional warranty services included with the product, for example for certain types of use or only for a specific part of the product.
- Software updates: If applicable, the customer must be informed about how long the device will continue to receive the latest updates.
- After-sales services: Any additional after-sales services included with the product.
- Repairability score: The repairability score indicates how easily your product can be repaired. If this score is known for your product or products, you can enter that value here.
Please note: these fields are not mandatory and should only be completed if the information is known for the relevant product.
Fairtrade
Fairtrade is an unprotected term used to designate items that:
- Are produced under good working conditions.
- Are locally sustainable.
- Have fair trade agreements with farmers and workers.
Bol.com seeks to uphold this definition by promoting items as ‘Fairtrade’ only if they have a certification from Max Havelaar, Cotton Made in Africa, or Fair for Life (clothing).
If you offer an item that is eligible for one of these certifications, you can provide this information via this link.
For items labeled as Fairtrade that do not have certification from one of these organizations, bol.com removes this claim from the product information.
The European Organic Certification (Skal)
To ensure that our shared customers receive verified organic items and that we comply with regulations regarding organic products, we have established additional guidelines for the use of the Skal certification.
What is Skal, and what does it mean for the sale of organic items?
Skal is an independent administrative authority that oversees the controlled and registered production, processing, and trading of organic items.
Within the product categories of food, dietary supplements, animal feed, plants, and flower bulbs, the term “organic” is a protected term. It can only be used for controlled items identifiable by the European Organic Certification, also known as the green leaf. Any company offering these products to our customers through our platform must register. Bol.com is only allowed to offer and trade demonstrably certified organic items. This means both the intermediary and the producer must be certified.
For this certification, items must comply with:
What are the additional conditions for selling on our platform?
- Ensure that your company is Skal certified to trade in organic items.
- Ensure that your storage of the items complies with SKAL storage requirements.
- Apply here for the sustainability label ‘European Organic Certification’ so that your organic assortment is well-labeled on our website.
- The SKAL code NL-BIO-01 must be visible on the invoice to customers. To include the Skal code on the invoice, it’s important that the Skal code (NL-BIO-01) is placed in the title of the organic product. By putting the code in the title, the code will automatically appear on the invoice to the customer. We recommend placing the code at the end of the title.