Netherlands: Commodities/Derivatives/Stock Exchanges

Electronic bills of lading (eBLS) have been gaining traction in the international markets, and trade commodity financiers are increasingly recognizing eBLs as valid collateral. The need for a secure and paperless way to manage cargo information in today's markets is obvious, and eBLs seem to answer that need. But is there a downside?

On January 15, 2025, the European Commission (EC) issued a Recommendation (the Recommendation) urging European Union (EU) Member States to scrutinize their companies' investments in non-EU countries.

Historically, the Dutch NV legal form was used for Dutch listed companies and the BV legal form was intended for privately held companies.

The European Council adopted a set of legislation on 13 May 2014 regulating the trade in financial instruments and the investment services sector.

As of 12 February 2014, financial and non-financial counterparties must ensure that details of any derivative contract concluded and any modification or termination of those contracts are reported to a trade repository.

The Council of the European Union has approved amendments to the Transparency Directive.