handhaafbare

Handhaafbare is a Dutch adjective meaning enforceable or capable of being upheld in practice. It is derived from handhaven, to maintain or enforce. In policy and law, a handhaafbare norm or rule is one that can be observed, measured, and sanctioned by authorities. A rule that is handhaafbaar tends to be clear, with defined criteria, detectable violations, and predictable sanctions; without these features, enforcement becomes uncertain and compliance difficult to achieve.

Public authorities and policy designers use handhaafbaarheid as a criterion in developing regulations. They assess whether a measure can be implemented and monitored, whether violations can be identified objectively, and whether sanctions are appropriate and executable. This consideration shapes how rules are drafted, how responsibilities are allocated, and how enforcement resources are planned, including the potential use of technology to detect or deter non-compliance.

Examples of handhaafbare measures include traffic regulations with clear penalties, licensing regimes with verifiable eligibility, and environmental standards linked to measurable indicators. By contrast, rules that rely on vague terms, discretionary judgments, or low enforcement probability risk being non-handhaafbaar, reducing compliance and undermining policy goals. Balancing handhaafbaarheid with rights, privacy, and practical constraints is a common governance challenge that requires clarity, proportionality, and accountability.

Related concepts include handhaving (enforcement) and regulatory design. The term underscores the practical feasibility of upholding rules in real-world settings.