Dutch regulations
As in other jurisdictions, Ahold is subject to various
legislative provisions in the Netherlands relating to its
products, facilities, health and safety of its employees,
environmental matters, antitrust matters, privacy matters,
its relationship with franchisees, tax matters and use of local
employees and vendors, among others.
The Company is subject to Dutch zoning regulations, which
restrict retailers from opening large retail outlets just outside
of towns or in rural areas in order to protect retailers in town
centers, thereby preserving the traditional retail structure
in these towns. Similar regulations apply in certain other
European countries in which the Company has operations.
As an employer in the Netherlands, the Company is
subject to various labor laws that set employment practice
standards for workers, including occupational health and
safety standards.
The legislative provisions relating to privacy impose
obligations on the Company and restrict its use of personal
data (for example, the use of customer data relating to
customer loyalty programs or in direct marketing activities).
Regulations in other jurisdictions
Ahold operates its business in the United States and in a
number of countries in Europe and accordingly, is subject
to a wide variety of national and EU laws and regulations
governing standards for its products and facilities, health
and safety of its employees, currency conversions and
repatriation, taxation of foreign earnings and earnings
of expatriate personnel and use of local employees and
vendors, among others. Within the EU, the Company's
business is also subject to and restricted by EU rules,
including directives and regulations. To the extent these
rules have "direct effect", they must be applied by the
authorities of the member states even if they have not yet
been implemented in national law.
EU regulations set minimum standards that must be applied
by all EU member states. In many cases, the authorities of
the member states are free to set higher standards equally
on all products and producers from all EU member states.
Ahold Annual Report 2006 41
