Gevolgregels

Gevolgregels is a Dutch-language term that appears mainly in informal discourse and some policy discussions. It is not a widely standardized word in dictionaries, but it is used to describe a system of rules that tie specific actions to predefined consequences. The term combines gevolg (consequence) with regels (rules).

Definition and purpose: Gevolgregels describe a structured framework for governance or enforcement in which each act triggers a designated response. They clarify what counts as a violation, what the response will be, and how it escalates over time. Core components often include scope, triggers, severity levels, the sequence of sanctions, appeals, and review mechanisms. The aim is to make sanctions predictable, transparent, and consistent.

Contexts and examples: In online platforms or community governance, gevolgregels may stipulate that a first infraction yields a warning, a second leads to a temporary suspension, and repeated violations result in a ban. In corporate or institutional policy, they can codify disciplinary procedures or compliance penalties linked to specific misconduct. The term emphasizes the cause–effect logic of rule enforcement rather than individual incident descriptions.

Etymology and usage: The word is a compound of gevolg and regels, and its usage varies; it is not common in formal Dutch policy vocabulary. Some writers use it as a shorthand for sanctioning regimes or penalty schemes. See also related concepts such as sanctions policy, penalty regimes, and rule-based governance.