Animal Welfare

It has been decided to stop selling electric shock collars and prong collars for animals in the Netherlands and Belgium. The reason for this is the amendment of Article 2.1 of the Animals Act, which states that a complete legal ban on the use of electric shock and prong collars applies in the Netherlands. In the case of electric shock collars, this specifically refers to equipment that allows the owner to inflict pain on the animal through electric shocks, electromagnetic signals, or radiation.

Because we prioritize the safety and health of animals over business interests, we choose to go further than what is legally required. Therefore, it has been decided not to offer these items in Belgium either. Electric shock collars will also be banned there in 2027.

It is not permitted to sell items via bol that consist of real fur, such as angora or mohair. By real fur, we mean: animal skin, or parts thereof, with hair or fur in processed or unprocessed form, or the coat of an animal. It is also not permitted to sell actual animals via bol, such as frozen chicks. The following materials are permitted:

• Synthetic materials that resemble fur
• Animal hides (or parts thereof) from sheep, cows, goats, and reindeer (with the exception of the Angora goat)
• Wool (with the exception of angora and mohair wool)

We do not offer items made from endangered animal species via the platform. These species are listed by CITES and/or IUCN. You may not sell items made from protected animals via bol. This applies even if you have a valid permit, declaration, or license.

For example, the following materials are not permitted:

• Ivory
• Exotic leather (for example, snake and crocodile leather)

We do not offer items via our platform that are made from plant species threatened with extinction. These species are listed on the CITES and/or IUCN lists. If you have items that are partly or fully made from protected plants, you are not allowed to offer them via bol. This applies even if you have a valid permit, declaration, or license for them. For example, the following materials are not permitted:

• Red coral (blood coral)
• Rosewood

Discover protected plant species with the CITES checklist (English & French)

Discover endangered animal species with the IUCN list

Mouse and rat poison

Since June 29, 2023, it is no longer permitted to sell mouse and rat poison based on anticoagulants (blood thinners) in the Netherlands. Alpha-chloralose (a consciousness-depressing agent) is permitted. If you want to offer mouse and rat poison via bol, you must always state the authorization number for the country of sale in the content.

Glue traps and glue boards

The use of glue traps or glue boards for catching rats and mice is prohibited in the Netherlands, unless the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) grants an exception for you. Furthermore, the use of glue boards is animal-unfriendly and therefore undesirable on our platform.

We do not promote items associated with dog and cat breeds that face health risks due to harmful external characteristics. For example, think of short-nosed breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Persian cats. Therefore, we do not use items that depict these breeds in our marketing communications. You can find the complete list of breeds and more information on Dier&Recht, here for dogs and here for cats.

Cosmetics sold via bol must be cruelty-free. Because you are not allowed to sell items on our platform that are not cruelty-free, it is not permitted for a partner to claim the 'cruelty-free' characteristic.