Assortment policy

Power collars for animals

In response to the amendment of Article 2.1 of the Animals Act it has been decided to stop selling power collars for animals in both the Netherlands and Belgium. This amendment states that there is a total legal ban on the use of electric collars. This specifically involves devices that can inflict pain on the animal by means of electric currents, electromagnetic signals or radiation.

Because we put animal safety and health above commercial interests, we choose to go beyond the legislation in this regard. That is why we have decided to also stop offering these items in Belgium, despite the fact that there is no law for this in Belgium (yet).

Animal materials

As animal welfare is important to us, it is not allowed to sell articles containing real fur, angora, mohair or kangaroo via bol. Real fur means animal skin, or parts thereof, with hair or fur in processed or unprocessed form, or fur of an animal. It is also not allowed to sell real animals, such as frozen chicks, via bol.

However, the following materials are allowed:

• Synthetic materials resembling fur
• Animal skins (or parts thereof) of sheep, cows, goats and reindeer (except the angora goat)
• Wool (excluding angora and mohair wool)

Protected species

Via our platform, we do not allow items or materials made of species that are threatened with extinction. These species are on the lists of CITES. Items containing (materials of) protected animals, are also not allowed to offer via bol.com. Not even if you have a valid permit, declaration or license to do so.

For example, the following materials are not allowed:

• Ivory
• Exotic leather (e.g. snakeskin and crocodile leather)

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

Plant materials

It is not allowed to offer items with materials of plant species threatened with extinction through the platform. These species are on the lists of CITES. If you have articles containing protected plants, you are not allowed to offer them via bol. Not even if you have a valid permit, declaration or license to do so. 

For example, the following materials are not allowed: 

• Red coral (blood coral) 
• Rosewood 

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

Adhesive strips and glue boards

The use of adhesive strips or glue boards for catching rats and mice is prohibited in the Netherlands unless an exemption has been granted by the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). Moreover, the use of glue boards is animal unfriendly. Therefore, these items are not wanted on both the Dutch and Belgian platforms. 

Promotion of dog and cat breeds

We do not promote items that refer to certain dog and cat breeds that are health risks due to harmful external features. Examples include short-snouted breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Persian cats. The full list of breeds and more information can be found on Dier&Recht. So this means that these products are not included in marketing campaigns.