Bibob Act

We use the Public Administration Probity Screening Act (Wet Bibob) to combat criminal activities and safeguard the integrity of our administration. Read below to find out what this act entails, when you may be affected by it, and how the procedure works. 

What is the Public Administration Probity Act? 

The Bibob Act stands for "Promotion of Integrity Assessments by Public Authorities." This administrative law instrument enables us to assess (check) permits, subsidies, government contracts, and real estate transactions and, if necessary, to refuse or revoke them. 

The Public Administration Probity Screening Act aims to prevent permits or other government decisions from: 

  • be used to exploit the benefits of criminal activities;
  • are used to commit criminal offenses or when there is reasonable suspicion that licence criminal offense has been committed in order to obtain the requested or issued licence . 

Through a Bibob investigation, we check whether an organization and its business circle act with integrity and do not pose any criminal risks to our society. 

When will you be affected by the Bibob Act? 

You may be subject to the Public Administration Probity Screening Act if you: 

  • licence a licence ;
  • applies for a subsidy;
  • wish to purchase buildings or land from HHNK;
  • has applied for a tender at HHNK and is selected. 

A Bibob investigation may also be initiated on the basis of indications that an applicant or their business circle may be involved in criminal activities. This may mean that a new investigation is conducted into pending applications or existing arrangements. 

Procedure 

If your application is assessed under the Public Administration Probity Screening Act (Wet Bibob), we will ask you to complete a Bibob form and provide additional documents. These documents contain information about, among other things, the financing and control structure of your company. 

Based on this information: 

  1. we conduct a Bibob investigation;
  2. if in doubt, we can seek advice from the National Bibob Office;
  3. You will be notified if there are any additional questions.  

Depending on the research results, there are four possible outcomes: 

  • No danger: The application will be approved.
  • Less serious risk: Additional conditions may be attached to the approval.
  • Serious risk: The application may be rejected or an existing arrangement may be revoked.
  • Insufficient information: If the requested information is not provided, the application may be rejected. 

How long does a Bibob assessment take? 

The Bibob assessment is carried out within the time normally required for a licence or subsidy application. This varies depending on the type of application.  

When we seek advice from the National Bibob Office, the processing time for the application may be extended by 8 to a maximum of 12 weeks. 

Policy rule under the Public Administration Probity Screening Act  

HHNK's complete Bibob policy is laid down in the Policy Rule for the Application of the Bibob Act HHNK 2025.

Objections and appeals 

It is not possible to object to a Bibob investigation or a negative recommendation from the National Bibob Office. Once the investigation has been completed or the recommendation issued, the water board will make a decision. You can object to this decision. You also have the option of withdrawing your application. In that case, the investigation will not be carried out. 

More information 

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