The Netherlands makes software updates mandatory from April 27: what does it mean?
From Wednesday 27 April it will be mandatory for Dutch transactions to provide their digital products with software and security updates. Whether it’s a robot vacuum cleaner, a purchased app from a smart watch: working must ensure that the product can continue to work.
Mandatory updates
The European Union has been working on new laws for some time to make digital devices last longer and connect them to provide updates and make repairs possible in the long term. The Netherlands has cast European guidelines into a new law, which is why software updates are now mandatory in our country for sales.
The law has been approved by the Senate and will come into effect from Wednesday 27 April. How long to read on the website the . depends on proportionality, according to the website de central government† The duration of support depends on what is reasonable for the consumer. For example, a game that you bought for 20 euros needs support for a shorter time than a slim thermostat of 200 euros. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is the supervisor of the requirements of the rules.
Burden of proof with the seller
Furthermore, our country will do even more to extend the guaranteed reversal of the burden of proof. This term means that the product worked well upon delivery.
From April 27, he should be able to do that until a year after the sale. If a product does not comply, it is up to the trader to repair it. If such solutions are not possible, then the buyer must get the purchase price back from both parties and be able to vote with a price reduction.
What do you think of this legislative change to the benefit of consumers? Is it good that the Netherlands puts down on paper that software updates are mandatory? Do you think the law expects less you expect the law less in practice? Let us know in the comments this article.
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Thanks for the tip, Ronald!