Eindwerking

Eindwerking is a Dutch term used in legal, administrative and policy contexts to denote the final or lasting effect of a rule, decision, or agreement. The word combines eind (end) and werking (operation or effect). It refers to the ultimate or residual consequences that persist after the initial entry into force, execution, or transitional period has taken place. In practice, eindwerking concerns what remains or continues to apply after the primary effects have been realized or after a termination date. It is distinct from inwerkingtreding, which describes when a regulation or treaty becomes legally effective.

Within law, eindwerking can occur in transitional arrangements that bridge the period between a new rule and the removal or cessation of the old one, ensuring continuity of certain rights or obligations. It is also used to describe the continuing impact of a decision, such as ongoing enforcement, liability, or obligations arising during the term of a contract, or the long-term effects of a measure on policy goals.

Examples include a tax regulation with eindwerking starting upon its entry into force and ending on a sunset date; after that date, the rule ceases to apply, but transitional provisions may preserve some rights or liabilities, creating a final eindwerking. Another example is a non-disclosure clause in a contract that remains binding after the contract ends; its eindwerking extends beyond termination.

In summary, eindwerking captures the enduring, final, or residual effects produced by a rule, decision or agreement, beyond its immediate or transitional phase.