Tweestromenland's New Bibob Policy: An Update

The municipalities of Berg en Dal, Beuningen, Druten, Heumen, West Maas en Waal Wijchen are jointly updating the Policy Rule for the application of the Bibob Act.

The municipalities of Berg en Dal, Beuningen, Druten, Heumen, West Maas en Waal Wijchen are working together to become more resilient against subversive crime. They are doing this, among other things, by adopting joint policy guidelines regarding the Act on the Promotion of Integrity Assessments by Public Administration (the Bibob Act). Changes to the law prompted an update to the Policy Rule for the Application of the Bibob Act (hereinafter: the Bibob Act Policy Rule). This update has now been completed.

What is the Bibob Act?

The Bibob Act is an administrative law instrument designed to protect the integrity of local government. The use of this instrument contributes to the fight against (subversive) crime. The Bibob Act can be applied to a wide range of government decisions, such as permits, subsidies, public contracts, and real estate transactions. Investigations may be conducted under the Bibob Act. If there is a serious risk that, for example, a permit or subsidy will be used to commit criminal offenses or to exploit benefits derived from criminal offenses, a permit or subsidy may be denied or revoked. A serious risk of such abuse may also be grounds for terminating negotiations or rescinding an agreement.

Collaboration builds resilience

By working together, the municipalities of Berg en Dal, Beuningen, Druten, Heumen, West Maas en Waal Wijchen can become more resilient against (subversive) crime. Criminals are not deterred by municipal boundaries and often seek out weak spots. Because the policy guideline is established jointly by the municipalities of Berg en Dal, Beuningen, Druten, Heumen, West Maas en Waal Wijchen, we maintain the same level of protection across the board and prevent the waterbed effect. The “waterbed effect” refers to criminals shifting their activities to other (nearby) municipalities where the policy is less strict.

To what does the Bibob Act Policy Rule apply?

To combat (subversive) crime as effectively as possible, it is important to ensure that the groundwork is in order. The updated Bibob Act Policy Rule fulfills this requirement. The Bibob Act Policy Rule oversees: administrative decisions (such as, among others, Alcohol Act licenses, operating licenses for hospitality/public establishments and prostitution, permits for gaming machines, and environmental permits), subsidies, real estate transactions, and public procurement.

When does the new Bibob policy take effect?

The Bibob Act Policy Rule has been in effect since October 14, 2025.