Looking for space?
Login

This September marks a significant update: millions of business activity codes (SBI-codes) at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS) will be revised. If entities such as banks, municipalities, notaries, or insurers fail to adapt to these changes, businesses might inadvertently lose access to loans, permits, or new contracts. The KVK urges business owners to verify their updated codes—but many remain unaware of the potential impact. (fd.nl)

The Impending Code Overhaul

Starting the first weekend of September 2025, the KVK and CBS will roll out an extensive adjustment to business codes across the country—affecting millions of registered companies. These codes serve as the formal classification of a company’s primary business activities and are essential in many administrative, legal, and financial contexts.

KVK’s Core Advice: Start with Your Activity Description

According to the KVK, every company or organisation has one or more SBI-codes listed in the Dutch Trade Register, linked to its official activity description.

“The codes show what your company or organisation does. In September 2025, many SBI-codes will change. Check now whether your activity description is still accurate. This ensures you will receive the correct SBI-code(s) after the update.”

By verifying the accuracy of your activity description today, you greatly reduce the risk of mismatches when the new codes take effect.

These seemingly small changes can have significant consequences:

  • Subsidies and financing: Banks and funding bodies rely on SBI-codes when assessing eligibility.
  • Permits and compliance: Municipalities use them to determine sector-specific requirements.
  • Professional services: Notaries, insurers, and procurement systems may reject transactions if codes are incorrect or outdated.

Even if your day-to-day operations remain unchanged, an inaccurate code could cost you valuable opportunities.

What Business Owners Should Do Now

  1. Review your current SBI-code(s) in the KVK Trade Register.
  2. Check your official activity description for accuracy and relevance.
  3. Update the description if it no longer reflects your main business activities.
  4. After the September update, verify that your new SBI-code matches your business reality.
  5. Ensure all partners (banks, municipalities, insurers) have the correct information.

Act now to safeguard your business. Review your activity description in the Trade Register before September, because the right SBI-code tomorrow starts with the right description today.

Why This Matters

Without the right code:

  • Loans or subsidies could be delayed or denied.
  • Permits might be withheld.
  • Contracts could be lost to administrative mismatches.

 

Search

Recent Posts

Erwin Wurm | Am I a House?

For the first time, the artist shows a cross-section of his work, from Narrow Furniture to One Minute Sculptures, within the walls of a historic building. Villa Constance, a former home that today houses Museum Jan Cunen, is not only a location but also part of the conversation. Because what exactly is a house?
Read more (NL)

#100YEARSPHARMAFUTURE

The development of medicines in Oss began one hundred years ago. It was then that the foundations were laid for what would become a flourishing pharmaceutical sector in the Netherlands, leading to groundbreaking discoveries such as insulin and the anti-conception pill.

Today, the entire chain is still represented in Oss, from early-stage research to the commercial scale production of medicines. Working in Oss, we focus on the health of people all over the world. Employees at dozens of companies large and small put their heart and soul into new medicines, products and services that will improve lives worldwide. Together, our strength lies in our combination of broad knowledge about the development of medicines and a thorough understanding of the requirements of high-quality production.

This shared past and common values stimulate strong bonds among everyone who works in pharmaceuticals in Oss. We build on qualities, expertise and networks that go back decades. And with a wide variety of pharmaceutical companies, suppliers and scientific institutions all located nearby, we offer an attractive business climate and an excellent basis for international collaboration.

We are proud to work together to create a better and healthier future for all, a collaboration that in turn fuels growing employment: today, most pharmaceutical jobs in the Netherlands are in Oss. Here we connect talent and companies and stimulate entrepreneurship, while our expert employees are our most important asset. Their drive ensures that Oss has an influence on health all over the world.

Pharma in Oss offers endless opportunities to startups and talent in a city and region that is a joy to live and work in. We are committed to collaboration and sustainable and successful entrepreneurship. Oss’s pharmaceutical companies are intrinsically competitive while also being committed to quality and safety. This, plus their focus on new health solutions and contemporary technology, makes us a leader in our pursuit of a better life for people worldwide.