Bol.com
Which conditions and selling rules do you need to meet on bol?
Lars HurkmansCo-founder26 June 2023Reading time 10 minutes
Before you sell on bol you need to meet general rules, such as a CE marking where required, a valid ISBN or EAN number and selling rights for certain brands, plus specific rules per product category. You may also sell products that are already offered on bol, but selling rights may then apply.
If you want to start selling on bol, it is important to know which rules you need to meet. In this blog we list all the rules: first the general rules that apply to all products, then the most important rules per product category, and finally the question of whether you may sell products that are already offered on bol. This is part of the basics you sort out when you start selling on bol.
Which general rules apply to all products on bol?
A number of general rules apply to all product categories on bol. Below is an overview of these rules:
- CE marking: Products that fall under the European directives must have a CE marking. This is a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.
- Items above €2500: For items that cost more than €2500, sellers must provide extra information to comply with the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft).
- Animal welfare: bol has specific rules to protect the welfare of animals. For example, it is forbidden to sell products that cause animal suffering.
- Discrimination: bol prohibits products that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexuality or any other protected characteristic.
- Sustainability: bol encourages sellers to sell sustainable products and to comply with environmental standards.
- Safety: All products must meet the relevant safety standards. This covers both general product safety and specific rules for certain categories, such as toys or electronics.
- Public health: Products that could pose a risk to public health are not allowed. This includes, among other things, illegal drugs, dangerous chemicals and certain types of medical equipment.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some brands and products. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
- ISBN or EAN number: Every product sold on bol must have a valid ISBN or EAN number. This is a unique product code that is used worldwide.
- Brand guidelines and property rights: Sellers must respect brand guidelines and intellectual property rights. For example, it is not allowed to sell counterfeit products or to use a company's brand name without permission.
Which rules apply per product category on bol?
In addition to the general rules, bol applies specific rules for different product categories. Per category it differs which product information is mandatory, which products are prohibited and whether selling rights are needed. Below are the rules for some of the most important categories:
Car & Motorcycle
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: No specific prohibited products mentioned beyond bol's general rules.
- Selling rights: No specific selling rights mentioned for this category.
Baby & Toddler
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations, including the CE marking.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including age restrictions, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: Specific prohibited products in this category include certain types of high chairs, car seats, pacifiers, drinking cups, and toys that contain small parts that could pose a choking hazard.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Baby & Toddler category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Computers & Electronics
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations, including the CE marking.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: Specific prohibited products in this category include certain types of electronic devices, such as devices designed to circumvent digital rights management (DRM), devices designed for illegal copying or downloading, and devices designed to gain access to paid services without paying.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Computers & Electronics category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Pets, Garden & DIY
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: No specific prohibited products mentioned beyond bol's general rules.
- Selling rights: No specific selling rights mentioned for this category.
Food & Drink
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: No specific prohibited products mentioned beyond bol's general rules.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Food & Drink category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Films & Series
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including the title, director, actors, studio, release date, language, subtitles, and a short description of the film or series. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: Specific prohibited products in this category include films and series that have not been approved by Kijkwijzer or NICAM.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Films & Series category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Games
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including the title, developer, publisher, release date, language, and a short description of the game. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: Specific prohibited products in this category include games that have not been approved by PEGI or USK.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Games category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Health
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant health and safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including ingredients, instructions for use, and any warnings or contraindications. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: Specific prohibited products in this category include certain types of medicines, medical devices, and dietary supplements.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Health category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Household
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: No specific prohibited products mentioned beyond bol's general rules.
- Selling rights: No specific selling rights mentioned for this category.
Office & School
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: No specific prohibited products mentioned beyond bol's general rules.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Office & School category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Clothing, Shoes & Jewellery
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: No specific prohibited products mentioned beyond bol's general rules.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Clothing, Shoes & Jewellery category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Toys & Hobby
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: No specific prohibited products mentioned beyond bol's general rules.
- Selling rights: Selling rights are required for some products in the Toys & Hobby category. This means that sellers must have permission from the brand owner or the relevant authorities to sell these products.
Home & Living
- Regulations: Products in this category must meet all relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Specific rules: Sellers must provide clear and accurate product information, including specifications, instructions for use and any warnings. It is important to comply with the rules for labelling and packaging.
- Prohibited products: No specific prohibited products mentioned beyond bol's general rules.
- Selling rights: No specific selling rights mentioned for this category.
May you sell products on bol that are already offered?
Yes, you may sell products on bol that are already offered. Selling rights can apply to specific brands or items, and then you need to be able to prove that you bought the items through an authorised seller. On bol you sell roughly two kinds of products: buy box products or own products. Here is the difference:
- With buy box products you sell products that are already offered on bol. You may need to apply for selling rights and be able to prove that you bought the products through an authorised seller.
- With own products (private label) you sell products that you produced yourself or for which you hold the brand rights. These products must comply with laws and regulations and may not cause suffering or damage. You also need to meet customer expectations. Because you need a unique EAN code for this product, it is by definition not a product that others sell directly on bol.
Depending on the type of product you sell, there are certain rules you need to meet.
Buy box products
- You may sell products that are already offered on bol, but selling rights can apply to specific brands or items. This means you need to be able to prove that the items were bought through an authorised seller.
- Selling rights are introduced to prevent abuse, such as selling unbranded items as branded items, items not intended for the Dutch market, or counterfeit items.
- Selling rights can be requested per category and these requests are processed within 5 working days.
- If there are signals that the customer proposition for a range group or certain brands is structurally being undermined, bol can decide to implement selling rights.
Own products
- You may always sell your own products, unless they are products that bol has prohibited or products that are copied from brands.
- Your offer must comply with the laws and regulations in the Netherlands and Belgium, and may not cause suffering or damage during production or use.
- Your products must meet customer expectations. Bol keeps track of whether your products match customer expectations and how your products compare to similar products from other sellers.
Summary: which rules do you know before you sell on bol?
Before you start selling on bol, you know both the general rules and the rules per product category. That way you make sure your products meet the legal requirements and the expectations of the customer.
- General rules apply to all products: among other things a CE marking where required, a valid ISBN or EAN number, and selling rights for certain brands.
- Many product categories have extra requirements for product information, safety and selling rights.
- Buy box products may require selling rights; you apply for them per category and bol processes the request within 5 working days.
- Own products (private label) may be sold, unless they are prohibited or copied from a brand.
- Not sure whether a product is allowed? Check which products you may sell commercially on bol or ask bol's customer service.
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Frequently asked questions
What happens if I do not follow bol's selling rules?
Then bol can impose sanctions. These range from removing your products from the platform to suspending your seller account.
How do I know whether my product needs a CE marking?
A CE marking is mandatory for product categories that fall under the European directives, such as toys, electronics and personal protective equipment. Consult the specific directives or an expert to determine whether your product needs one.
What are selling rights and how do I apply for them?
Selling rights are permissions you need to sell certain brands or products. You apply for them per category and bol processes such a request within 5 working days. You need to be able to prove that you bought the items through an authorised seller.
What do I do if I am not sure whether my product meets bol's rules?
Get advice first before you offer the product. Contact bol's customer service or consult a legal adviser, so you know for sure that you meet all requirements.
May I sell products that are already offered on bol?
Yes, you may. Selling rights can apply to specific brands or items, and then you need to be able to prove that you bought the items through an authorised seller.
What is the difference between buy box products and own products on bol?
With buy box products you sell products that are already offered on bol, for which selling rights may apply. With own products (private label) you sell products that you produced yourself or for which you hold the brand rights, with your own unique EAN code.