ontheffingen

Ontheffing is a Dutch term used in administrative and legal contexts to denote a release from or exemption from a general rule, obligation, or restriction. The word comes from ontheffen, meaning to lift or remove, and the plural ontheffingen refers to decisions or cases in which such release is granted.

An ontheffing is typically granted by a competent authority through a formal decision (beschikking or besluit). It is usually subject to conditions, may be temporary or permanent, and can be time-bound. A ontheffing is usually issued when applying the rule would impose disproportional burden, when statutory criteria are met, or when public interest, health, safety, or other considerations justify deviation from the standard rule. The decision often specifies the scope, duration, and any obligations the holder must meet.

Common contexts include tax matters, where an entity may receive an ontheffing from certain payments; municipal or building rules, where a property or activity may be exempt from a standard permit requirement; environmental or safety regulations, where 특정 facilities may obtain a targeted exemption from particular standards; and other areas such as traffic, licensing, or social benefits.

Procedure and effects: individuals or organizations apply to the relevant authority, which assesses eligibility and grants or denies the ontheffing in a formal decision. The grant can be revoked or amended if circumstances change, and aggrieved parties may have avenues for objection or appeal.

Relation to vrijstelling: vrijstelling often denotes exemption from payment or duty, while ontheffing typically refers to exemption from a rule or obligation; in practice the terms may overlap depending on the legal context.