The Netherlands
The Netherlands had 11.7 million registered vehicles in 2020, an increase of 1.8 percent compared to 2019. The Dutch government enforces strict environmental policies and safety regulations and encourages the use of electric mobility. U.S. companies taking these measures into account will find opportunities on the Dutch market, which is receptive to U.S. products.
Summary
Exporters of vehicles, Original Equipment (OE) parts & components, as well as aftermarket products and accessories to the European Union and its member states must undergo a thorough assessment of, and ensure compliance with, existing European Commission Directives, i.e. regulatory requirements regarding technical specifications, product safety, as well as environmental impact & requirements. In principal, type-approval granted for vehicles or vehicle parts in one EU member state should be accepted by all member states across the EU. However, individual member states may enforce more stringent or additional regulatory requirements for certain product groups and/or applications.
In addition to compliance with the legal requirements of an EU member state as well as relevant EC and UNECE directives and regulations, U.S. exporters of automotive parts are advised to asses and obtain evidence of compliance with relevant technical norms and standards. A certified management system is required for access to new markets and customers in the Netherlands and Europe. One of the automotive industry’s most widely used international standards for quality management is ISO/TS 16949 (under revision, transition to IATF 16949 is in progress), which defines the quality management system requirements for the design and development, production and, when relevant, installation and service of automotive-related products.
Products that sell well in the United States will generally have market potential in the Netherlands, providing pricing is competitive. The key to successfully enter the Dutch market is to work closely with a local partner. An experienced representative will be able to advise on adapting a product to local technical requirements and consumer preferences, logistics, and marketing. Due to the size, accessibility, and competitive nature of the Dutch market, local importers and distributors usually insist on an exclusive distributorship. Although the European Union is considered a single market, marketing strategies and consumer preferences vary greatly from country to country. As a member of the European Union, both EU and national legislation applies.
Market Entry
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