Dutch Government to Scrap 97 Regulations to Reduce Burden on Entrepreneurs

If you’ve ever spent a Tuesday afternoon staring at a mountain of permit applications while trying to open a small shop near Pike Place Market or navigating the labyrinthine zoning codes of Capitol Hill, you know that “regulatory friction” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a tax on your time and sanity. While we’re grinding through the bureaucracy here in Seattle, there’s a fascinating, high-stakes experiment happening across the Atlantic that every Pacific Northwest entrepreneur should be watching. The Dutch government is currently in the midst of what locals are calling a “snoeidrift”—a cutting frenzy—aiming to slash nearly a hundred burdensome regulations before the summer hits.

The Dutch “Snoeidrift” and the War on Red Tape

The Jetten cabinet, a minority coalition consisting of D66, the VVD, and the CDA, has decided that the best way to stimulate economic growth is to simply stop getting in the way. They’ve identified 97 specific rules that are deemed too burdensome for entrepreneurs and are moving to scrap them. It’s a bold move, especially considering the fragility of the current political climate in the Netherlands. From asbestos regulations to the specific rules governing animal pensions, the government is targeting the “stifling” nature of administrative pressure.

One of the clearest wins in this deregulation push comes from the Dibevo lobby. Dibevo, the branch organization representing entrepreneurs in the companion animal industry, successfully pushed for the removal of restrictive rules that had been weighing down pet-related businesses. For those of us in the US, this is a classic example of how niche industry advocacy can lead to systemic policy shifts. When a focused group identifies a specific “choke point” in the law, it creates a roadmap for broader deregulation.

Political Fragility and the VVD Dilemma

However, this push for efficiency isn’t happening in a vacuum. The minority nature of the Jetten cabinet means they are constantly walking a tightrope, relying on support from outside their coalition to pass legislation. This instability is mirrored in the public sentiment. Recent data from the Hart van Nederland Panel shows a stark divide in how the government’s direction is being received. While D66 and CDA supporters are relatively content, the VVD base is in open revolt.

Among VVD supporters, a staggering 53 percent are dissatisfied with the new cabinet, and only 20 percent say they are happy. Even more concerning for the government is that 27 percent of VVD voters now express regret over their voting choice. This internal friction is a critical vulnerability. When 61 percent of a key constituency fears that the government will further divide society, the “cutting frenzy” of regulations might be seen not as a benefit, but as a symptom of a government losing its grip on its core base.

Bringing the “Wind in the Back” to the Pacific Northwest

The appointment of Heleen Herbert as the Minister of Economic Affairs is perhaps the most telling sign of the Dutch strategy. Herbert didn’t come from a lifelong political career; she was the director of strategy at the construction giant Heijmans. Upon her appointment, she spoke about wanting to give the business community “wind in the back.” Her philosophy is centered on the idea of “longer lines”—creating a predictable regulatory environment where businesses know exactly what to expect from the government over the long term, rather than reacting to sudden shifts in policy.

For the Seattle business community, this concept of “predictability” is the holy grail. Whether you’re dealing with the Washington State Department of Revenue or trying to gain a sign permit approved by the city, the frustration rarely stems from the existence of rules, but from the unpredictability of how those rules are applied. The Dutch approach suggests that the only way to achieve true business agility is to not just “tweak” the rules, but to aggressively remove the ones that no longer serve a purpose.

As we see more local businesses in the Seattle area struggling with the cost of compliance, the “Jetten model” of targeted, aggressive deregulation offers a potential blueprint. By focusing on specific, high-friction areas—much like the Dutch did with asbestos and animal pensions—local governments could potentially unlock significant economic energy without compromising safety or ethics. To truly scale, we need to move away from reactive governance and toward the strategic “wind in the back” approach championed by leaders like Herbert.

Navigating the Regulatory Maze in Seattle

Given my background in analyzing these macro-economic shifts and their micro-local impacts, it’s clear that while we wait for a “snoeidrift” of our own in the US, the burden of navigation falls on the entrepreneur. If the current regulatory climate in Seattle is impacting your growth or preventing you from launching, you can’t afford to go it alone. You need a specialized team that understands the intersection of city ordinances and state law.

Depending on your specific bottleneck, here are the three types of local professionals you should be seeking out to mirror the success of the Dibevo-style lobby or the strategic clarity of Heleen Herbert:

Municipal Zoning and Land Use Attorneys

Don’t just hire a general practitioner. You need a specialist who has a documented track record with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). Look for attorneys who specifically handle “variance” requests and have deep experience navigating the specific density and environmental requirements of the Seattle city core.

State-Level Regulatory Compliance Officers

If your business operates across multiple counties in Washington, you need a compliance expert who understands the friction between Olympia’s mandates and local municipal codes. The ideal candidate will have previous experience working within state agencies or a history of helping businesses successfully audit their internal processes against Washington State Department of Revenue standards.

Boutique Government Affairs Consultants

Following the Dibevo model, sometimes the answer isn’t to follow the rule, but to change it. Look for consultants who are active members of the Washington State Chamber of Commerce and have a proven ability to bridge the gap between private industry needs and legislative action. They should be able to demonstrate a history of successfully lobbying for specific regulatory exemptions or updates.

Whether you are trying to streamline your operations or fight a specific rule that is holding your business back, the key is to move from a defensive posture to a strategic one. By utilizing expert legal counsel and compliance specialists, you can create your own “wind in the back” despite the bureaucratic headwinds.

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