{"id":13560,"date":"2025-04-17T16:13:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T14:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deintegriteitscoordinator.nl\/?page_id=13560"},"modified":"2026-02-27T17:29:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T16:29:36","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.deintegriteitscoordinator.nl\/en\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div>

In our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), you can read all about the Integrity Coordinator, the Whistleblower Protection Act, and whistleblowing in general!<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>What does the Integrity Coordinator do and what is a whistleblowing arrangement or reporting channel?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

We act as an independent coordinator of whistleblowing procedures, also referred to as whistleblowing arrangements, reporting procedures or speak-up procedures, with many years of experience in handling anonymous reports. We support organizations in establishing and managing a whistleblowing reporting channel and whistleblowing system, including anonymous reporting channels.<\/p>\n

We help organizations comply with the Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act and the EU Whistleblowing Directive. This legislation requires organizations to establish reporting procedures and secure reporting channels that contribute to the protection of whistleblowers. We also ensure proper follow-up of reports.<\/p>\n

In addition, we provide in-house training to educate employees and internal officers on the correct implementation of whistleblowing arrangements and the management of reporting procedures and anonymous reporting channels.<\/p>\n

With our support, your organization will have an independent reporting channel and independent follow-up of anonymous reports, fully compliant with the Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act and the requirements relating to reporting channels and anonymous reporting channels.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Who is Geert Vermeulen?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

The Integrity Coordinator was founded by Geert Vermeulen<\/strong>. His mission is to help organizations conduct business in an honest and ethical manner and to implement effective whistleblowing arrangements and reporting procedures.<\/p>\n

Since 2007, Geert has been involved in rolling out and coordinating reporting channels and whistleblowing systems. He has handled several hundred cases involving multinational companies, SMEs, NGOs, and organizations in the public and semi-public sectors. He regularly writes and speaks about whistleblower protection, reporting procedures, and compliance under the Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act.<\/p>\n

Geert is an experienced and renowned Ethics & Compliance Officer. In 2020, he received the National Compliance Award in recognition of his contributions to the profession. The jury described him as a leading figure and role model for the compliance community.<\/p>\n

In 2023, he was also named a \u201cTop Thought Leader in Trust\u201d by Trust Across America \/ Trust Across The World.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Which organizations must comply with the Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act and when is a whistleblowing arrangement mandatory?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

Since 17 December 2023, every legal entity with 50 or more employees must establish a whistleblowing arrangement and reporting procedure that complies with the Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act. This means organizations must provide a reporting channel and whistleblowing system through which reports can be submitted safely and confidentially and properly followed up.<\/p>\n

Legal entities subject to financial legislation or to the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft) must always implement a whistleblowing arrangement and reporting channel, regardless of the number of employees. The Wwft also requires organizations to provide an anonymous reporting channel.<\/p>\n

These obligations follow from the EU Whistleblowing Directive and are intended to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers within organizations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>When does the Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act and the obligation to provide anonymous reporting channels enter into force?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

The Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act entered into force in phases in 2023 and requires organizations to establish a reporting procedure, reporting channel and whistleblowing system that complies with the EU Whistleblowing Directive.<\/p>\n

The obligation to provide anonymous reporting channels as part of a whistleblowing arrangement is expected to enter into force in 2027\/2028. Anonymous reporting channels are an important component of whistleblower protection and ensure that reporting persons can submit reports safely and without risk of retaliation.<\/p>\n

Offering anonymous reporting channels is considered a best practice and has already been mandatory for organizations subject to anti-money laundering legislation for many years. Reports provide organizations with an opportunity to address potential issues at an early stage. Without anonymous reporting channels, organizations are likely to receive significantly fewer reports.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Who is protected under the Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

Whistleblower protection applies to reports submitted in a work-related context through a reporting channel, reporting procedure, or whistleblowing system.<\/p>\n

The Act protects not only employees but also:<\/p>\n